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.

Madisonville’s offense did not miss a beat despite a lightning delay that pushed the start of their 2021 season back over an hour in Friday’s 51-20 victory over Diboll at Mustang Stadium. Quarterback Jeramiah Burns led a rushing attack that logged over 400 yards while Blessing Ngene found pay dirt three times down the stretch.

Madisonville sophomore quarterback Jeramiah Burns eludes a Diboll defender during the team’s 51-20 victory over the Lumberjacks at MHS Friday to open the 2021 season. All told, the Mustangs recorded 421 rushing yards in the win with 176 coming from Burns, who also ran for a pair of scores and threw for another. PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS

Madisonville fitness nuts, or those looking to get a (very) late start on their New Year’s resolutions, now have a new, modernized option as of Wednesday with the opening of Iron Fit Gym. The health club, located at the old auto parts and furniture stores on Highway 21, is owned by Wes Hammit and Brittney Bockman.

Texas Legends Steakhouse in Madisonville set 13 places at their new bar, a trend honoring the 13 American troops who lost their lives along with many Afghans during an attack at the Kabul airport last week. The two blasts came during an evacuation effort, which was completed Monday, ending the longest war in American history. PHOTO BY TEXAS LEGENDS STEAKHOUSE FACEBOOK

The Madisonville volleyball team competed against teams throughout the area over the weekend during an annual tournament at Leon High School. The Lady Mustangs saw matchups against Beckville, Palestine, Onalaska, Snook, Brazos Christian, Franklin (twice) and Teague.