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Obituary: Rafael Rangel Pizana

Memorial services for Rafael Rangel Pizana, 71, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at the Kiwanis Park Pavilion in Athens.

Mr. Pizana died Feb. 23, 2013 in Athens. He was born Feb. 15, 1942 in Bend, Texas to the late Julian and Delfina Rangel Pizana.

Rafael formerly resided in Corpus Christi three years, Woodburn, Oregon six years, Sinton, Texas six years and moved to Tyler in 2011 from Portland, Oregon where he had lived since 1985. He was a retired Aviation Mechanic. A well decorated U.S. Army Veteran , Rafael served three tours of duty with the 82nd Airbourne in Vietnam and was a prisoner of war for three months.

Survivors include his wife Maureen Mary Pizana; sons, Ralph Pizana, Madisonville, Daniel Pizana, Shannon Pizana, both of Portland, Oregon; daughter, Caprice Christopher and husband John, Tyler; brother, Pete Pizana, Victoria; sisters, Norma Lucio, Gloria Ciarese, Tina Aguillar, all of Corpus Christi, Rosil Gonzales, Salem, Oregon; 12 grandchildren.

Obituary: Mary Ruth Byrd Jackson

Services for Mary Ruth Byrd Jackson, 96, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles Parker officiating.

Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.

Mrs. Jackson died Feb. 23, 2013 in Athens.

She was born Nov. 19, 1916 in Corsicana to the late Walter and Bliss Nevada Hunt Byrd. She was a 1935 graduate of Corsicana High School. Mary moved to Athens in 1947. She retired from Vassarette of Munsingwear, Inc. after a 35-year tenure. She was a 57-year member of Central Baptist Church. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Ray Jackson, Dec. 7, 1965, an infant brother Billy Byrd, brother Charles Byrd and sister Margie Little.

Survivors include son Ernest Ray Jackson and wife Keitha, Arp; daughter Mary Crossley and husband Kenneth, Conroe; sister Christian Williams, Corsicana; grandchildren, Diane Jackson and husband Paul Twomey, Lori Jackson and husband Tim Ehmke, Michelle Crossley and husband Manny Angulo, Brent Crossley and wife Brandie; great-grandsons, Ross Ward and Alex Crossley; numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will greet friends at the funeral home 12:30 p.m. until service time Tuesday.

If desired, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, P O Box 590, Athens, Texas 75751.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle at www.carroll-lehr.com.

Daily Brief: Monday, Feb. 25

Mia Orosco was last year's winner of the Old Fiddlers' Reunion. This year's event will be held on Saturday. (MICHAEL V. HANNIGAN PHOTO) — Mia Orosco was last year’s winner of the Old Fiddlers’ Reunion. This year’s event will be held on Saturday. (MICHAEL V. HANNIGAN PHOTO)

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

1. The annual Old Fiddlers Reunion has been moved to Saturday this year.

2. Athens ISD promoted Dr. Janie Sims to assistant superintendent and Winston McCowan to principal of the Middle School.

3. Henderson County high school sports is moving on to softball, baseball and track … except in Mabank, where the Panthers are scheduled to play in the Regional Quarterfinal tomorrow night. The Panthers will take on Pleasant Grove at 7 p.m. in Hallsville. Mabank advanced by beating Wills Point Friday night.

4. The Athens City Council will convene for its regular meeting 5:30 p.m. tonight. Action setting up the May election is on the agenda, along with a possible $95,500 low-interest loan (3 percent) from the EDC to Lone Star Housing.

5. McAlister’s in Athens will be closed this week for renovations.

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WHAT YOU MISSED

Athens girls powerlifters headed to regionals.

The Henderson County Black History Committee held its annual Scholarship Banquet Saturday night.

The Keep Athens Beautiful Home and Garden Show was Saturday.

A lot of local kids took part in a one-day basketball camp hosted by the TVCC Lady Cardinals.

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WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

The Henderson County Performing Arts Center is set to open its Black Box season next weekend. (The Review)

Ken Holder is named the new police chief in Eustace. (The Monitor)

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Sims named AISD assistant superintendent; McCowan new AMS principal

Two Athens ISD administrators were promoted Friday, Feb. 22.

Dr. Janie Sims was named the Assistant Superintendent, according to Superintendent Blake Stiles.

Sims had been serving the district as the Curriculum Director since 2011. Prior to 2011, she served the district in other administrative capacities including as principal of Athens Intermediate and principal of South Athens Elementary.

Also moving up is Winston McCowan, who was named the principal of the Middle School. McCowan has served the district since 2011 as an Athens High School assistant principal, and recently as the interim principal at Athens Middle School.

“I am confident that both of these individuals will positively impact the district and the community,” Stiles said. “I would like to offer my thanks, again, to all who served on the selection committees. The considerate responses of all of the members of the interview process were tremendously helpful to me in making these significant decisions.”

TVCC schedules Cruisin’ Cardinals Car Show

Trinity Valley Community College student Will Baker isn’t going to Romania this spring break. But that didn’t stop him from finding a way to help those who are.

Three students from the college will be traveling across the globe in March to spend a week helping Romanian orphans in need.

Although he isn’t taking the trip, Baker has been working to organize a fundraiser for those students. His idea: the Cruisin’ Cardinals Car Show.

On March 2, drivers of all makes and models of car, truck, motorcycle and boat are invited to attend the show, which will be in the front parking lot of the college’s Athens campus.

“I told them I would help fundraise. And I enjoy car shows and have grown up going to car shows. So I thought this would be a great excuse to have a show,” said Baker.

The show will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Drivers do not need to register in advance, but can do so the day of the show. Registration for the show is $15 for a car or truck and $7 for a motorcycle or a boat.

“I’ve had people asking about all kinds of vehicles,” said Baker. “I even had a guy ask about an ATV and I decided why not. Sounds like fun.”

There’s no charge for members of the public who want to come look at all the vehicles on display. However, donations will be taken at the show for those who want to help the students with their efforts.

Awards will be given for best of show in a car/truck category and then in a motorcycle category.

Cortney Curran, who is the TVCC staff sponsor for the trip, said she is glad to have students like Baker who are willing to help where needed.

“This was a great idea Will had and I hope everybody comes out,” said Curran.

The students will be leaving for Romania March 7. Curran, who has been to Romania on similar trips in the past, said the students will be spending their days working at a facility for infants and working with children after school hours.

“These children are truly destitute,” said Curran. “They have nothing and we are glad to be able to help them.”

For more information on the Cruisin’ Cardinals Car Show, contact the TVCC Student Activities Office at 903-675-6252.