Jimmy Phillips, 67, passed away August 25, 2021 in Madisonville, Texas following an extended illness. He was born March 24, 1954 in Madisonville, Texas to Luther Jim & Lillie Mae (Franklin) Phillips. Jimmy lived most of his life in Leon, Madison and surrounding counties. He was a lifelong cowboy and enjoyed Ranch Rodeos. Jimmy also liked to hog hunt, shoe horses and take his grandchildren to TYRRA Rodeos. He had a strong dislike of water because he never learned to swim. Jimmy was a member of Crossroads Cowboy Church in Madisonville.

Rodney Poe, 74, passed away August 24, 2021 in Houston, Texas. A service celebrating his life was held 2 p.m., Monday, August 30, 2021 at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Bro. Brad Brock officiated the service. Interment followed in Jozye Cemetery in rural Madison County.

Kodi Kuhn Sunley; 32 years, 2 months, 30 days; passed away on Sunday; August 22, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life for Kodi was scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday; August 27, 2021 at Day Funeral Home Chapel in Madisonville, TX.

Juan Alfredo “Johnny” Valdez; 61 of Madisonville, TX; passed away on Tuesday; August 24, 2021 in Bryan, TX with his mother, Margaret Valdez, by his side. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday; September 4, 2021 at Jozye Cemetery in Madisonville, TX where he will be laid to rest by his beloved wife, Nelda. Lynn Reed will officiate. The visitation is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. also at Jozye Cemetery.

Lena Pearl Truster of Midway, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 22, 2021. She was born the youngest of twelve children on August 27, 1940 to Stoddard Franklin Bridgman and Rosa Mabel Zuspann in the Woodland Community, Missouri, both deceased. She was raised in Palmyra, Missouri where she met and married her lifelong partner of sixty-two years, Billy Edwin Truster, on October 25, 1958. In 1960 they purchased a farm near Hannibal, Missouri, where they raised their five children.

All Madisonville High School Cheerleaders were named Cheerleader of the week for the first week of the 2021 season. The squad is pictured prior to Friday’s football game against Diboll at MHS. COURTESY PHOTO

As we approach the month of September, I hope all of my fellow sportsmen and women are preparing for the start of dove season. That being said, I recommend taking advantage of and downloading the new Texas Parks & Wildlife Department app, Texas Outdoor Annual. This smartphone application allows you to purchase your license online, access information on hunting season dates and bag limits for each county, view game tagging instructions, and even provides a link to report your hunt harvest. For more information, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website at www.tpwd.texas.gov.

Illness and vaccines are on my mind. As a long-time school employee, I knew Texas required enrolling students to have received vaccinations for Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis, Polio, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Varicella. I never thought much about such requirements. I just thought we all agreed on wanting the children and general population healthy.