Menifee Lee Ratliff, “Ernie”, 72, took his last fishing trip on December 13, 2018 with the best possible guide, Jesus Christ. Born in West Prestonsburg, Kentucky to George Dewey Ratliff and Alma Whitaker Ratliff on December 4, 1946. The family left the coal mines of eastern Kentucky in 1952 and moved to South Bend, Indiana where the auto industry was flourishing. Menifee attended schools primarily in North Liberty and Greene Township from which he graduated in 1965, the last in his class to walk the stage because everyone else was shorter than he. In 1966, at the height of the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a flight engineer in the Forward Air Command. He was on the perimeter of his base during the Tet Offensive in January 1968. During his time in Vietnam, the plane on which he served as flight mechanic was shot down and thus did he cheat death for the first time. He was discharged in December 1969 as a Sargent and in January 1970, on a blind date, he met the woman that would become his lifetime fishing partner, Susan Jane Conklin. They married on August 14, 1970 in Mishawaka, Indiana. A short series of jobs led him to Indiana Bell in 1972 and he proudly served Ma Bell until his retirement in 2005. During that time, he moved his family from South Bend to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Obituary: Charles Herman Wherry Jr.
Charles Herman Wherry Jr. passed away on December 16, 2018 at his home in Athens, Texas. He was born on January 4, 1923 in Lorena Texas to Charles Herman Wherry Sr. and Lillie Fuller Wherry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lucille Wherry.
Charles was married to the love of his life for 49 years before her death. He worked for an oil and chemical company for many years. Charles loved to hunt and fish and play bingo. He was a very loving man with a gentle spirit. He will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him.
Malakoff headed to State Championship Game after beating Brock, 23-21
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
FRISCO — “We believe.”
That was the chant that rained down from the stands from the time Malakoff ran through the tunnel to take the field to when the Tigers lined up in the victory formation on the last snap to run out the clock on a 23-21 win over Brock Friday at The Star in Frisco.
It is the chant that will follow the Tigers all the way to the State Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington next Thursday against Grandview.
The Tigers earned their chance at a title by playing a complete game Friday, with the offense, defense and special teams all contributing.
Continue reading “Malakoff headed to State Championship Game after beating Brock, 23-21”
Athens ISD board approves 4-day instructional week
The Athens ISD Board of Trustees voted this afternoon to go to a 4-day instructional week for the 2019-2020 school year.
“The Athens ISD Board of Trustees is committed to serving the educational needs of our students by hiring and retaining teachers of exceptional quality. We believe that the proposed new four day academic week will uniquely allow our District to accomplish this goal since the best teachers are vital to learning,” said School Board President Rob Risko.
Only Board Member Gina Hunter voted against the move.
According to information released by the district earlier this month, “Under the plan being considered, students would begin the 2019-2020 school year on Aug. 5, with the last day of instruction being May 28 and graduation on May 29. In order to comply with the state’s requirements for a minimum number of instructional minutes during a school year, the instructional day would increase by 50 minutes. Under the proposal, elementary students would start the day at 7:45 and end at 3:55. The expanded school day, among other benefits, allows for longer recess times, which is proven to be particularly beneficial for young children. For middle school and high school students, the day would start at 8 and end at 4:25. The later start time for secondary students is also in response to research, which clearly indicates teenagers perform better academically later in the morning.”
Obituary: Johnnie Frances Williams
Johnnie Frances Williams passed away to her heavenly home on December 13, 2018 in Athens, Texas. She was born on May 8, 1926 to Gordon and Murriel Mann Reynolds in the Hobbs community of Van Zandt County.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sue Dyer and husband Dewey; her brother-in-law John B. Gilligan; her son-in-law John W. Hartman.
She started school in Martins Mill and later moved to Athens and completed her education, graduating Athens high school in 1943. She attended East Texas Baptist college and University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. During the war she worked for the government in Washington DC. Through the years she lived in Kentucky and Frankfurt Germany, Waco, Uvalde and McKinney Texas. In 1950 she and her family returned to Athens where she worked for Hobson Green law office in Athens. Johnnie was very active in her Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Athens.