Plowboys Open Football Season at De Leon on Friday

The Plowboy defense against Hawley.

The two-a-days and scrimmages are done, and the Roscoe Plowboys will play their first real game of the season in a non-district matchup against the De Leon Bearcats in De Leon Friday evening. 

The game may be a good indicator of what kind of team the Plowboys have this year.  De Leon trounced the Plowboys 38-6 last year in Mustang Bowl, so the Bearcats will no doubt be confident of a victory on their own home turf.  Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

The Junior Varsity Plowboys will play the De Leon JV team tomorrow at Plowboy Field.  Kickoff is at 6:00pm. 

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PLOWBOYS HOLD THEIR OWN IN SCRIMMAGE WITH HAWLEY

Shelton Toliver catches a pass from Cutter Davila.

The Plowboys made a good showing in their scrimmage with Hawley in a three-school scrimmage at Plowboy field last Thursday. 

The Plowboys’ offense appears to be working well with both running and passing plays gaining good yardage against the 2A Bearcats.  Similarly, the defense did a good job of holding the Bearcats in the initial scrimmage format in which both schools ran a set number of plays on offense and defense.

In the final format in which the two schools played a regular quarter of football, Hawley managed one touchdown and had another called back, while Plowboy Kevin Lavalais intercepted a pass that would have resulted in a touchdown if the play hadn’t been whistled dead. 

Overall, the scrimmage appeared to be a good warmup for the regular season, which begins on Friday.  The Plowboys didn't scrimmage with the third school, Roby, because Roby is in our district.  Instead, the Lions also scrimmaged Hawley.

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ROSCOE POSTMASTER JARMILA CORNUTT RETIRING ON FRIDAY

Roscoe Postmaster Jarmila Cornutt

After almost 25 years with the U. S. Postal Service, Roscoe’s Postmaster, Jarmila Cornutt, will be moving on to a new life when she finishes up on Friday afternoon.  She and husband Donnie have bought a house between Tuscola and Buffalo Gap and will be moving there shortly.

She was hired as a clerk in the Sweetwater Post Office in 1989 and came to Roscoe in 1997.  She became Roscoe’s Postmaster in 2004 and has continued in that position since then.  

Starting next week, Loraine’s Postmaster, Linda Kubala, will be the Officer-in-Charge in Roscoe with the possibility of becoming Roscoe’s new Postmaster. 

Jarmila says she’s looking forward to spending more time with the grandkids and working on her new house, although she will miss seeing all her friends in Roscoe on a regular basis.

Here’s wishing you a happy retirement, Jarmila.  We’ll miss you, too.

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TWO MORE KILLED IN FATAL CRASH AT “DESTRUCTION JUNCTION”

The overpass that connects US 84 with I-20.

All the new construction the Texas Department of Transportation is doing to repair the broken overpass east of town hasn’t done anything to eliminate its reputation as “Destruction Junction,” as it is locally known. 

At about 1:30am early Friday morning, a big 18-wheeler slammed into a car merging onto I-20, resulting in two more deaths.  Killed instantly were the parents of an Air Force family while their two children sitting in back escaped unharmed. 

According to the report in the West Texas Times, the parents were in their thirties and on their way from Alamogordo, NM, to visit relatives in Springtown, Texas, before moving on to a new assignment in Alaska.

This is the third fatal wreck in the past year at the junction where I-20 and US 84 merge east of town, and there have been numerous fatalities since the initial construction of the overpass there in the 1970s.

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COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND MEL TILLIS RETURNS TO ROSCOE FRIDAY NIGHT

Mel Tillis at the Lumberyard last summer.

Mel Tillis, whose fame as a songwriter and performer stretch back over a half-century, will return on Friday night for an encore performance at the Lumberyard.  When he was here last August, he really enjoyed himself and put on a great show.  Afterwards, he hung around and signed CDs, guitars, and hats for anyone who wanted it, while getting his picture taken with many others.  He said at that time that he’d like to return, and now he will. 

Tillis is a winner of the National Medal of the Arts for his contributions to country music, just one of the many awards he has received over the years.  He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Nashville Song Writers International Hall of Fame.  He has also been named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Comedian of the Year six times, and Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.

Over the years, he has recorded over sixty albums and had 36 Top Ten singles with nine going to Number One, including “I Ain’t Never,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Coca Cola Cowboy,” “Heart Over Mind,” “Send Me Down to Tucson,” “I Believe in You,” “Southern Rains,” and many others.

He has also written over a thousand songs, approximately 600 of which have been recorded by major artists.  These include “Detroit City,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Burning Memories,” “Thoughts of a Fool,” “Honey (Open That Door),” and “The Snakes Crawl at Night.” 

Rance Norton & Band will open the show and play from 8:00-9:15.  Mel Tillis and the Statesiders will begin at about 9:30.

Tickets are $15 and a large crowd is expected.  There are a limited number of tables available. 

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ROSCOE FIREMEN ATTEND CLASSES AT ABILENE AREA FIRE SCHOOL

Roscoe firemen at the Fire School in Abilene.

Several members of the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department attended the Abilene Area Fire School last week.  Topics of classes included Hazardous Materials, Wildland-Urban Interface, 13 Common Mistakes on the Fire Ground, Officer Awareness, Driving Simulator, Car Fires, Standpipes Operations, Search & Rescue, and L. P. Gas and Natural Gas Fires. 

Roscoe firemen who attended were Gary Armstrong, Terry Armstrong, Josh Corzine, Chad Dornbusch, and Robert Hoffman.

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WEATHER REPORT

There is little to say here.  This past week has seen typical August weather—sunny and partly cloudy skies with highs in the lower nineties and lows in the lower seventies.  Meteorologists gave us up to a 40% chance of rain yesterday when the high got up only to 87°F, but nothing ever materialized, so we had another week with no precipitation.

And the outlook for the next week is identical if not a little hotter.  Highs for the next few days should be in the mid to upper nineties with lows in the lower seventies.  No rain is in the forecast.

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Plowboys Tie Haskell in First Scrimmage

The Plowboy offense operates from the shotgun. (Photo by Lus Pantoja)

The 2013 Roscoe Plowboys got their first taste of competition last Friday when they scrimmaged the Haskell Indians in Haskell.  From the reports I got, the Plowboys held their own and did well on both offense and defense.

After giving up an early score, the defense settled down and held the Indians the rest of the way. The offense tied the score with a touchdown by Vincent Pantoja.  The offense will rely this year on a Texas Tech style spread attack with second-year starter Cutter Davila calling the signals. 

Local fans will get a chance to see the Plowboys in action at Plowboy Field tomorrow afternoon at 6:00 when they participate in a three-school scrimmage with Hawley and Roby.

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PLOWBOY PREVIEW DRAWS NICE CROWD

Plowboys and Plowgirls 2013

The Plowboy Preview held at Plowboy Field last Thursday drew a sizable crowd.  Almost three hundred people ate at the hamburger dinner that preceded the event. 
   
After the dinner, the crowd moved to the east stands and was introduced to the new coaches, the football team, the cross country team, the cheerleaders, and the cheer pals.  The band was on hand to play the school song and fight song.

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JOHNNY LEE TOPS LIST FOR BIG WEEKEND AT THE LUMBERYARD

Johnny Lee

This weekend will be another big one for area country music fans as country legend Johnny Lee will be in town on Saturday night to cap off three days of music at the Lumberyard. 

The weekend begins tomorrow night when Matt Kimbrow & Band come to town. Friday night it will be the Blackland Bullet Company, and then on Saturday Lyndall Underwood and the Dusty Creek Band will open for Johnny Lee, best known for his hit single, “Lookin’ for Love.”

Johnny Lee was born in Alta Loma, Texas, and after high school joined the Navy and served a tour on a guided missile cruiser, the USS Chicago.  Then he played numerous Texas bars and nightclubs before working for ten years with Mickey Gilley, both on tour and at Gilley’s Club in Pasadena.  When the hit movie Urban Cowboy was shot there, his song, “Lookin’ for Love,” was on the soundtrack and launched him to fame.

Afterwards, he had several other songs that hit number one on the country music charts, including “One in a Million,” “Bet Your Heart on Me,” “The Yellow Rose” (with Lane Brody), and “You Could Have Heard a Heartbreak.”  Other hits include “Pickin’ Up Strangers,” “Prinsoner of Hope,” “Cherokee Fiddle,” “Sounds Like Love,” “Hey Bartender,” “Rollin’ Lonely,” and “Save the Last Chance.”

Cover charge for Saturday night is $15 per person.  There is no cover charge for Thursday and Friday nights.  For more information call the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457. 

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RHS HOMECOMING SCHEDULE FINALIZED

At its meeting last Wednesday, the Homecoming Committee came up with what it expects to be the complete finalized schedule for this year’s Homecoming.  Here it is:

ROSCOE HIGH HOMECOMING 2013 
 Thursday, Friday & Saturday, September 26, 27 & 28 

Lots of things have changed 
But
Plowboy Pride Remains the Same

Thursday:     

       7:30     Bonfire North Roscoe on Young Farm Estates, south 

                                  of US 84, east of FM 608

Friday:

      1:00      Exes Reception in AVID Room

      2:50      Pep Rally in Gym (Exes will be recognized)    

      4:00-7:30    Potato Bake in Cafetorium benefiting Girls’ 

                                  Athletics

      7:30      Plowboys vs. Baird

      After Game    Coffee in Cafetorium

                      Music featuring Roscoe Exes playing at The 

                                   Lumberyard. 

                      ($10 Cover charge will benefit Roscoe Collegiate 

                                   Scholarship Fund.)

Saturday:  (Morning Activities will be held in the Cafetorium)

      8:30      Meet & Greet  Coffee, Donuts, Visitation, Tours, 

                     Door Prizes, Awards, Robotics Demonstration & More.  

                     (Door Prizes not claimed by12:00 will be redrawn.)

      11:00   Ratliff Library Dedication in Elementary Library

      11:30-1:30    Enchilada Lunch (enchiladas, beans, rice, 

                                   salad, drink, dessert)

                            Advance Tickets:    $7 Large Plate (3 enchiladas)

                                                                   $4 Small Plate (1 enchilada)

                            Tickets @ Door:      $8 Large Plate

                                                                   $5 Small Plate                   

      2:00-5:00    Museum will be open Downtown (in the old bank 

                             building).

      2:30    Parade Lineup Downtown.  Make a float, decorate 

                             a car, golf cart, or just use your imagination for an 

                             entry for your class or group.

      3:00    Parade

      5:00    Exes Guys & Gals Basketball Game  

                            Admission $3.  Concession stand.

      After Game   Music featuring Roscoe Exes playing at 

                            The Lumberyard. 

                            ($10 Cover charge will benefit Roscoe Collegiate 

                                         Scholarship Fund.)

If you have a group getting together, please e-mail to 

Roscoe.Plowboys@yahoo.com before September 20 so we can put it in the program.

Send this info to your Roscoe e-mail & Facebook friends!  We are doing lots of things differently this year and want a big crowd here.

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WEATHER REPORT

The cotton crop is looking good.

The local area was the beneficiary of a cold front last Wednesday.  The high temperature was only 81°F and the low 67°, and there were also showers on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  I got .64” on Wednesday, .06” on Thursday, and .60” on Friday for a total of 1.3”.  That amount was typical for the area, although some farms near Loraine got as much as an inch and a half on Wednesday, and some south of town got that much on Friday. 

The weather was a little cooler than normal for this time of year with highs only in the upper eighties and lows in the upper sixties and lower seventies.  The only exception was on Monday when the high got up to 93°.

The forecast for today and through the weekend is for highs in the lower nineties and lows in the lower seventies with southeast winds of 5-15mph.  There is a chance of rain this weekend. 

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New School Year Brings Another Increase in Roscoe’s Student Enrollment

Parents escort children to the first day of school on Monday morning.

Roscoe ISD’s enrollment gains of last year have essentially been replicated this year.  Student enrollment is once again up by a considerable margin, and, as it was last year, the increase is due primarily to the number of transfers from nearby towns. 

The following table indicates the growth experienced over the past two years:
                                         Grades           2011         2012         2013   
          Elementary       pre-K-6           234            284           338       
          Junior High         7-8                     31              53              78       
          High School         9-12                  98            110           110        
          Totals                pre-K-12           363           447           526       

The elementary grades now have 338 students compared to 284 last year and 234 two years ago.  That represents a gain of 54, or 16%, over last year and 104, or 31%, over two years ago.  In grades 7-8, this year’s total of 78 students is an increase of 25, or 32%, over last year and 47, or 66%, over two years ago.  The High School, grades 9-12, shows no increase over last year although it is still 12, or 11%, more than year before last. 

The total enrollment for all grades in 2013 is 526, an increase of 79, or 15%, over 2012 and 163, or 31%, over 2011.  

Enrollment was capped at 40 in most grades.  However, this year’s seventh grade has always been a large class, so it is over that amount by about ten students.  An extra third-grade teacher and a part-timer who teaches two classes a day have been added. 

Enrollment can still increase slightly by late-comers who have yet to register.

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CITY COUNCIL ADDRESSES SEVERAL ISSUES AT MONTHLY MEETING

City Manager Cody Thompson addresses the Council at last night's meeting.

At its monthly meeting last night, the Roscoe City Council dealt with a number of issues ranging from complaints about the wastewater plant to consideration of an ordinance permitting the use of golf carts on City streets. 

The meeting began with complaints from a group of people who live near the new wastewater treatment plant southeast of town.  They spoke of the proliferation of insects, rodents, and certain weeds, as well the unpleasant odors.  To the complaint that the plant might have been placed in another location on the property, Scott Hay, spokesman for eHT City Engineers of Abilene who oversaw construction of the plant, addressed their concerns and gave reasons for doing it as they had.  Mayor Pete Porter agreed that the City would do what it could to alleviate the situation.

City Manager Cody Thompson informed the Council that street patching will start this week and asks Roscoe residents who know of specific trouble spots to let the City know so they may be attended to.

The Council also approved a number of action items, among them the re-hiring of CPA Ricky Bowman as City Auditor for 2013-14, the sale of a City lot at 1103 Front Street to Jerry Williams, and the passing of an ordinance allowing the use of golf carts on City streets.  

Guidelines for usage of golf carts will follow the Texas Transportation Code.  For example, they may be driven only on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, which would rule out streets like Broadway, but they may cross such streets.  

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PLOWBOY PREVIEW TOMORROW AT PLOWBOY FIELD

Players and coaches introduced at last year's Plowboy Preview.

The annual Plowboy Preview will be held tomorrow, August 15, with a hamburger cookout behind the east stands starting at 6:00, with burger, chips, and drink costing $6.  Then at 7:00pm, this year’s football players, coaches, cheerleaders, and band will be introduced in front of the east stands.

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PLOWBOYS SCRIMMAGE AT HASKELL ON FRIDAY

Fans can get their first look at this year’s Plowboys in action at a scrimmage with Haskell in Haskell on Friday starting at 6:00pm.  Their first action in Roscoe will come next Thursday, August 22, with a three-way scrimmage involving the Plowboys, Roby, and Hawley.

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NOLAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BALK AT PRICE INCREASES FOR NEW JAIL AND SHERIFF’S OFFICES

At Monday’s Nolan County Commissioners’ monthly meeting, a spokesman for the contractors, Turner Construction and Wigington Hooker Jeffry Architects, informed the Commissioners that instead of the $9.8 million agreed upon last year and passed by the voters in the bond election in November, the price of the new jail and Sheriff’s offices would now be more like $11.9 million, an increase of over $2 million.  They said the general increase in the cost of construction was the principal factor.

The County was presented with three choices: 1) make cuts in what it wanted, 2) accept the additional cost, or 3) reject the price increase and open a new round of bids.

After much discussion and a closed executive session, the Commissioners discussed making some changes in what they wanted but still came out $964,000 over the original budget.  They said they could work toward more cuts, but they also want the contractors to explore more ways to lessen the overall price.

They asked the contractors to come up with their best and final offer at a specially called meeting this Monday, August 18.

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WEATHER REPORT

Rain in my driveway this morning.

A light rain began falling as a cold front moved in just about daylight this morning and is continuing to fall as I write this at 9:45am.  So far, I've got just over a half-inch of rain, and the temperature has fallen to 68°F.  

The forecast is for a continued chance of thunderstorms this afternoon with a high in the upper eighties and a low tonight in the upper sixties.  There is a 30% chance of precipitation tomorrow and Friday as temperatures return to the nineties.  On Saturday, the chances decrease to 20%, and by Sunday they will be gone. 

There was a also light shower in Roscoe last Wednesday evening.  I had .18” in my rain gauge here in town, but areas south of town got more.  Lake Trammell, for example, got a much needed .70”.  

High temperatures ranged from 102°F last Wednesday to 88° on Friday.  Then until this front moved in this morning, daily highs have been in the mid-nineties with lows in the mid-seventies. 

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Plowboys Begin Workouts for 2013 Football Season

Forty-four boys have come out for this year's team.

Since Monday morning, the 2013 Roscoe Plowboys have been working out from 7:00-10:30am at Plowboy Field.  In previous years these pre-season practices, known as two-a-days, have generally gone on for two weeks, but this year they will last only through Saturday morning because of the Roscoe School’s early start for classes on Monday.

With a new head coach, Jake Freeman, a new offensive coordinator, Greg Althof, and several new players, the 2013 Plowboys will look and be different from last year’s team.  Coaches working with the team are as follows:

Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator – Jake Freeman
Offensive Coordinator – Greg Althof
Athletic Director – Chuck Cathey
Special Teams – Johnny Martin
Assistant Coach – Jordan Morales
Assistant Coach – Ryan Dillon
Assistant Coach – Tanner Mann (Student Teacher)

The Plowboys’ first scrimmage is at 6:00pm next Friday, August 16, against Haskell in Haskell.  Then at 6:00pm on the following Thursday, August 22, there will be a three-way scrimmage at Plowboy Field with Hawley and Roby. 
 
The first official game of the year will be the following Friday, August 30, against De Leon in De Leon. 

                    ROSCOE PLOWBOYS 2013 SCHEDULE

                    Date              Opponent                Location
                    Aug. 30         De Leon                   De Leon
                    Sep.  6           Irion County          Roscoe
                    Sep. 13          Miles                         Miles
                    Sep. 20          Open       
                    Sep. 27      **Baird                        Roscoe
                    Oct.   4        *Cross Plains           Cross Plains
                    Oct. 11        *Albany                     Roscoe
                    Oct. 18        *Ranger                     Ranger
                    Oct. 25        *Gorman                   Roscoe
                    Nov.  1        *Hamlin                     Roscoe
                    Nov.  8        *Roby                        Roby
 
                    ** =  Homecoming
                    *   =  District Game

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PLOWBOY CENTER LODGE OPENS FOR BUSINESS

The three site-built rooms at Plowboy Center Lodge.

The Plowboy Center Lodge has officially opened and is renting its site-built units and larger log cabin by the day, week, or month.  Located at 1000 Broadway, just across the street from the Community Center, it is owned and operated by Tom and Max Watt.

The Log Cabin is fully furnished with living area and two bedrooms with queen and king beds, full kitchen, coffee pot, shower bath, Dish cable and DVD player, two TVs. Currently, the rent starts at $100 for one night plus tax plus one-time cleaning deposit of $25.

Locker Room #1 has twin beds, kitchenette, coffee pot,  shower bath, TV with Dish cable and DVD player, utilities included, fully furnished, and  covered patio-- currently, rent starts at $75 for one night plus tax plus one-time cleaning deposit of $25. 

Locker Rooms #2 and #3 have queen beds, kitchenette, coffee pot, shower bath, TV with Dish cable and DVD player, fully furnished, and covered patio---currently, rent starts at $75 a night plus tax plus a one-time cleaning deposit of $25.

Extra cots, queen air mattress and bedding are available for a small fee. Soiled linens can be exchanged for clean for a small fee.  Extra toiletries are available upon request, as are an iron and ironing board. 

Remember, the Lodge is a Bed and Breakfast—you make your own bed, you make your own breakfast!!

Reservations can be made by calling Max at 575-799-0812.  The on-site office will open soon.

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CROWDS ENJOY RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND AT THE LUMBERYARD

Pat Green at the Lumberyard on Friday night.

Parking places downtown were hard to find Friday and Saturday night as the Lumberyard held its biggest weekend to date with record-breaking crowds to see country music stars Pat Green on Friday night and Charlie Robison on Saturday night.  The two shows, known collectively as the "Texas Country Woodfest," solidified Roscoe’s growing reputation as the music mecca of the Big Country. 

The attendance at Pat Green’s performance was actually larger than the entire population of Roscoe as an estimated 1800-1900 were on hand to see the show.  The crowd on Saturday night for Charlie Robison was about half as large, but still drew an estimated 850-900 people. Both performers, along with their opening bands, the Green River Ordinance on Friday night and the Remains on Saturday night, were real crowd pleasers, and, from all accounts, everyone who attended went away happy.

The Lumberyard is not resting on its laurels, however, as other popular singers and groups are scheduled to appear in coming weeks, starting with Billy Joe Shaver this Friday night and other big names such as Mel Tillis, Johnny Lee, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Jake Hooker in coming weeks.

For more information, check the Lumberyard’s Facebook page or call 325-766-2457.

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WEDDING AT OLD TOWN PARK ON SATURDAY WILL BE A FIRST

Kalyn Presley and Carver Tate will be married in Old Town Park.

This Saturday evening, Old Town Park, across from City Hall and the Roscoe State Bank, will be the venue for Kalyn Gail Presley and Carver Williams Tate to exchange their vows in a public wedding that will be held there at 7:30pm.  The reception will immediately follow in the Roscoe Community Center.

It will be the first time the park has ever been used for such a purpose.

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WEATHER REPORT: DOG DAYS

We have now reached that period of relentless summer heat known since ancient times as the dog days.  Skies have been clear and sunny, days have been hot with afternoon temperatures approaching or reaching three digits, and air conditioners have been running overtime all over town.  

The coolest day of the past week was last Thursday when the high was only 95°F and the low 75°.  The hottest was yesterday with a maximum of 101° and a minimum of 77°.  All the other days were somewhere in between.

The forecast high for today is 103°F, for tomorrow 100°, and for Friday and Saturday the mid to upper nineties.  Lows should be in the mid to upper seventies.  There is a 20% chance of precipitation today, tomorrow, and Friday. 

--o--

† FLORA MAE RAYBURN

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 2, at the First Baptist Church in Rowlett for Flora Mae Rayburn, 80, of Rockwall, who passed away on Wednesday, †July 31.  She was interred in the Roscoe Cemetery at 10:00am on Saturday, August 3.

She was born July 27, 1933, in Haskell County to Erich and Olga (Helm) Lehrman. Flora was a member of First Baptist Church in Rowlett.

She is survived by her daughters, Jeorginna Pyles and husband Harold, and Kathryn Crenshaw; grandchildren, Adrienne Camp and husband Jeremy, Tim Hartman, Shauna Parker and husband Aaron, Christopher Crenshaw, Heather Reyna and husband Frank, Amelea Pyles and Neal Pyles; great-grandchildren, Kennedy Camp and Frankie Reyna; brother, Ervin Lehrman and wife TeeDee; and several nieces and nephews.

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† LILLIE BELLE GREEN

Graveside services for Lillie Belle Green, 93, formerly of Roscoe, were held on Sunday at 2:00pm at the Colorado City Cemetery and were followed by interment there.  She died on Wednesday, July 31, in Bonham.

She was born on Oct. 22, 1919, in Munday and married Loy Green on Dec. 23, 1939, in Colorado City. They were married for over 60 years.  A homemaker, she was a member of the Champion Baptist Church and was actively involved in church activities.

Survivors include her four sons: Robert Wayne Green and wife Pat of Amarillo, Delmar Ray Green and wife Glenda of Honey Grove, Jerry Lynn Green of San Angelo, and Gene Darrell Green of Austin; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Loy Green, on Jan. 15, 2000; her parents; four brothers; and two sisters.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.

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