Month: October 2014

Obituary: Leisa Harris

Harris Leisa1Funeral services for Leisa Harris, 48, of Murchison are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro with Bro Danny Sandifer and Bro. Danny Cotton officiating.

Ms. Harris went to be with the Lord on Sept. 29, 2014 in Athens, Texas.

Leisa Dean Starkes Harris was born Jan. 16, 1966 in Athens, Texas the daughter of James Starkes and Mary Lou Walker Starkes. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro and loved singing and music. She enjoyed flowers and being pampered. Her most special time was spent with her children, grandchildren and her dog Tinkerbelle. She was a loving, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister and will be missed by many family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Lou Starkes, a brother Ricky Lynn Harris, and two grandchildren, Dawson Chandler Teer and Remington Williams.

She is survived by her loving children, Christy Templin, Meagan Templin, Ricky Harris all of Murchison, Amber Lewis of Pampa, Texas; one brother Johnny Vaughn of Lufkin and two grandchildren, Hunter Williams and Joshua Templin.

Visitation will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Continue reading “Obituary: Leisa Harris”

Obituary: Donald Toney

Toney, DonaldFuneral Services for Donald Toney, 65, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens with Bro. Curtis Chandler and Bro. Jeff Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery near the Walton Community.

Mr. Toney passed away on Sept. 30, 2014 in Athens, Texas.

Donald Wayne Toney was born August 1, 1949 in Magnolia, Arkansas the son of Hilton C. Toney and Ruby Jewel Eubanks Toney. He joined the Army in June of 1969 and served in the Vietnam War, earning many service awards including the Bronze Star Medal. He later worked for Century Link Telecommunication Company and retired after 42 faithful years of service. Donald was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed very much.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, H.C. and Mable Reed and Clifford Eubanks, his mother Ruby Schmidt, his birth mother Edith Janell Wiley, his father Hilton Toney and his grandson Joseph “JoJo” Huff. Continue reading “Obituary: Donald Toney”

KAB Bumpouts Improve Look, Safety On The Square

By Michael V. Hannigan

The square in Athens has a different look thanks to Keep Athens Beautiful, which recently finished its bumpouts project.

The bumpouts — curb extensions — are on all four corners of the square and are “primarily used to extend the sidewalk, reducing the crossing distance and allowing pedestrians about to cross and approaching vehicle drivers to see each other when vehicles parked in a parking lane would otherwise block visibility.”

Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught said, “The city is thrilled with the results of the new bump outs and how well they turned out. They have added an attractiveness to our downtown square plus an added safety measure for pedestrians trying to cross the streets. We appreciate KAB tremendously for their support and generous funds for this project.” Continue reading “KAB Bumpouts Improve Look, Safety On The Square”

Athens FFA Members Start Stock Show Season Well

Athens FFAAthens ISD press release

The Athens FFA has kicked off the fall stock show season with some outstanding early success at both the East Texas State Fair in Tyler and the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City.

FFA member Casey Pitchford and his sister, Junior FFA member Gracey Pitchford, took breeding beef heifers to the Oklahoma State Fair. Casey won first place and division champion with his Angus heifer and reserve grand champion with his senior yearling Santa Gertrudis. Gracey won both her class and division champion with her shorthorn heifer. She took grand champion honors with her cow-calf Santa Gertrudis.

At the Junior Beef Heifer Show in Tyler, Sara Rimpel took first place with her Maine-Anjou heifer. Her sister, Shae Rimpel, placed second with her Limousine heifer. Their brother, FFA President Seth Rimpel, placed third with his Limousine heifer. Continue reading “Athens FFA Members Start Stock Show Season Well”