HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. This unique event is one in which Americans of all ethnicities, religions, and political persuasions traditionally gather with family and friends to count their blessings and give thanks for the many good things that we enjoy in this great land of ours.

But the holiday comes this year under circumstances unlike any other since the Pilgrims first observed the day back in 1620. For the first time ever, the government, through its health protection agency, the CDC, is urging everyone not to get together but to stay home and confine any celebrations to people already in the household. Visits with others should only be done virtually through phone calls or apps like Zoom or Face Time. It’s an unprecedented turn of events.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving has come this year at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is spreading everywhere and is almost out of control in many parts of the country. And the situation is also getting serious here. Roscoe Collegiate shut down last Tuesday and will re-open only when the numbers improve, and active cases in Nolan County have almost doubled from 46 two weeks ago to 94 last week and 159 this week. And these are the cases we know about, as some people are not reporting their conditions, while others may not know yet that they are infected. Hospital beds, especially ICUs, are full all over the Big Country, and the situation seems to worsen with no end in sight.

Under such circumstances, counting our blessings and rejoicing may seem strained and a bit of a stretch, but when we stop to think about it, most of us can still find plenty to be thankful for. For one thing, most of us are still healthy and proceeding with our normal lives as always—and we all live in a prosperous country where we can safely raise our families and freely engage in our own personal pursuits of happiness, whatever they are. And for that, we can all be grateful.

Despite the complications, many will be doing Thanksgiving anyway. As I mentioned last week, the airlines are reporting more travel this week than at any time since the pandemic began, although I did hear yesterday that ticket cancellations are reaching a record level. The highways, however, will no doubt be crowded as travel by auto is projected to be down less than 6% from last year. Area supermarkets have stacks of peanut oil in the aisles for people who plan to deep fry their turkeys, and they are also well-stocked with the traditional Thanksgiving foods.

On television, Macy’s annual parade will still kick off the day, although it will be modified this year with social distancing and other similar precautions. There will also be pro football for most of the day, even if the only spectators are cardboard cutouts and the cheering is canned like the laughter in sitcoms. CBS will broadcast the Houston Texans-Detroit Lions game starting at 11:30am. At 3:30, Washington plays the Dallas Cowboys on Fox, and at 7:20, NBC will host the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

But, no matter how you spend the day, remember to give thanks for your blessings, don’t eat too much, take proper precautions, especially around the old folks and others who need them, and have a good time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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REGULAR CLASSES LIKELY TO RESUME AT RCISD MONDAY

At posting time, Roscoe Collegiate administrators were pleased to see the staff and student numbers improving and were making plans to resume regular classes at school on Monday. The final decision, however, won’t be made until an administrators’ meeting on Sunday afternoon.

One way or the other, parents will be sent an alert immediately after the meeting to let them know the decision. If they don’t already have it, parents can download the alert app from the school website at https://www.roscoe.esc14.net/.

The alert app is the last item on the COVID-19 dropdown menu.

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TRASH PICKUP ON FRIDAY THIS WEEK

As is normal for the Thanksgiving weekend, trash pickup for Roscoe residents will be on Friday instead of the usual Thursday.

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WILL BANISTER AT THE LUMBERYARD FRIDAY NIGHT

Will Banister

Are you ready for some boot scootin’? Traditional country music returns to the Lumberyard on Black Friday evening with a performance by New Mexico singer/songwriter Will Banister. Originally from Portales, Banister has played in venues in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, as well as in the U.K. and Europe.

He grew up to the sounds of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and George Strait, singers that have made an impact in shaping the sound of his songs. His latest album, Everything Burns, consists of eleven songs, ten of which he either wrote or co-wrote.

Some of his singles and covers include “Easy to Love,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today,” “Turned Her On to Country,” and “Ain’t That the Truth.”

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to get out and do some dancing and hear some fine live country music, here’s your chance. Cover charge is only $10 at the door, and the show begins at 8:00pm.

For more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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COVID-19 CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS

In the United States, the surge of Covid-19 continues in almost every state. The country’s weekly average of new cases is now over 162,000 a day and over a million a week. Some states are restricting gatherings of over 10 people, and others have curfews. California reported 17,694 new cases on Monday, which is more than any state has ever had for one day as infections and hospitalizations rise at “an alarming rate.” Eleven states—Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota, Idaho, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and South Dakota—had more deaths in the past week than in any other week since the pandemic began. And in Pennsylvania, where the biggest day for drinking is the day before Thanksgiving, the Governor has outlawed the sale of alcohol after 5pm.

In Texas, Covid-19 records continue to be broken. Yesterday, 13,998 new cases were reported statewide, and the daily average for new deaths is still increasing. Hospitalizations also continue to rise with 8,495 Texans as Covid-19 patients. The state is sending 36 National Guard members to help in mortuaries in El Paso, which has been paying jail inmates $2 an hour to move bodies there. Tarrant County has broken its record for Covid-19 cases, and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price has tested positive.

In the Big Country, the Abilene Community Safety Level continues to be at Level 5-Critical as the number of active Covid-19 cases continues to grow. It now has 2,706 active cases compared to 2,249 last week and 1,499 on November 1. The number of Covid-19 hospitalizations has also grown to 104, up from 83 last week and 50 two weeks ago. The 22-county Big Country region ICU beds are all full. Abilene hospitals have 78 employees in quarantine and 76 nurses on loan from the state. They also have just received a mobile morgue as they prepare for the coming Covid-19 surge. Abilene hospitals have now had 103 total Covid-19 deaths, up from 89 last week.

Locally, Nolan County now has 159 active cases, 66 more than the 94 of last week. The little chart for Nolan County in the Hard Times’ right-hand column still shows a high infection rate. Mitchell County has 68 active cases, more than double the 31 of last week, and Fisher County has 13 active cases, up from 12 last week. In Scurry County, the numbers have dropped to 140 active cases compared to 161 last week. Scurry County has now had 21 Covid-19 deaths with 2 more this past week.

Here are the Big Country’s county totals for the year as of yesterday (with last Tuesday in parentheses): Howard, 1,680 (1,516); Jones, 1,604 (1,578); Scurry, 1,527 (1,397); Erath, 1,315 (1,217); Brown, 908 (837); Nolan, 687 (580); Comanche, 470 (408); Eastland, 359 (316); Runnels, 346 (325); Mitchell, 319 (263); Stephens, 241 (216); Callahan 211 (180); Coleman, 178 (169); Coke, 168 (153); Fisher, 149 (140); Knox, 119 (116); Haskell, 96 (93); Shackelford, 49 (46); Kent, 25 (19); Stonewall, 24 (24); Throckmorton, 23 (22);
 
Selected west Texas counties yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Lubbock, 29,378 (26,145); Midland, 7,027 (6,756); Wichita (Wichita Falls), 6,461 (5,558); Ector (Odessa), 4,864 (4,864); Tom Green (San Angelo), 3,282 (3,057).

Texas now has had a total of 1,115,371 cases (1,039,513 last week), 169,826 of them active (139,048 last week), and 20,750 total deaths (19,579 last week).

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WEATHER REPORT: WARM AND SUNNY ON THANKSGIVING

Yesterday morning's sunrise.

Folks planning outdoor activities for Thanksgiving will be happy to note that the day will be warm and sunny with an afternoon high possibly reaching 80°F. There will also be a southwest breeze of about 10-20mph, but that’s not much compared to the wind that we got yesterday afternoon, which had gusts up to 40mph.

The past week was about the third in a row in which there has been little variation and few surprises The highs from Wednesday to Saturday were all in the mid-70s with lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Rain was forecast along with the mild norther on Sunday, but if there was anything more than a little mist, I didn’t see it.

The cool front and clouds lowered Sunday’s high to 60°, but it had returned to 69° on Monday and 79° yesterday as strong southwest winds kicked up dust and caused a wind advisory to be issued. Last night the wind diminished and shifted back to the north, which has brought cooler temperatures.

Today’s high should reach only about 65° under sunny skies, but tomorrow will be warmer and should be fine for cookouts and other outdoor activities.

Tomorrow night another cold front with strong north breezes will move through and bring clouds. The high on Friday will be only about 55° with a morning low of 39°. On Saturday, there will be clouds and a 40% chance of showers with a high of 54°. Sunday and Monday will also be cool with highs of 59° and 55° and lows of 36° and 32° as the weather cools as we head into December.

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† SAMUEL EDWIN YOUNG, SR.

Graveside services for Samuel Edwin Young, 81, of Sweetwater were at 12 Noon on Saturday, November 21, at Roscoe Cemetery. He passed away Thursday, November 19, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.

Sam was born August 12, 1939, in Taft, Texas, to the late Joseph Bruno and Ollie Bernice (Harvey) Young. He married Dorothy Lou Hestand on February 17, 1960, in Sweetwater. He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a Maintenance Superintendent for over 40 years at the Sweetwater Cotton Oil Mill and was a longtime faithful member and deacon at Lamar Street Baptist Church.

Sam is survived by his sons, Sam Young, Jr., and wife Colette of Joshua, Texas, and Brad Young and wife Sondra of Sweetwater; brother, Frank Young of Nolan; sister, Lottie Brown of Champion; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, parents, and eight brothers and sisters.

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† MANUEL CUELLAR, JR.

Holy Mass of Christian Burial for Manuel Cuellar, Jr., 78, of Roscoe will be held at 10:00am, Friday, November 27, at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Sweetwater with Rev. Michael Udegbunam officiating. Burial will follow at Roscoe Cemetery under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home. He passed away at his residence on Sunday, November 22.

A prayer service will be held at 6:30pm today, November 25, at Cate-Spencer & Trent Chapel with Deacon David Mendez officiating, followed by a rosary at 7:00pm recited by Victor Rubio, Jr.

Manuel was born on November 12, 1942, in Kenedy, Texas, to Manuel Cuellar, Sr., and Julia (Polanco) Cuellar. He married Juanita Diaz on March 23, 1980, in Roby. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish and Crusillista and Santo Nombre.  He worked as a truck driver for Brazos Transportation and Dent Trucking before retiring. He loved spending time with his family and attending their school sporting events.  He was their biggest fan. He loved the Seattle Seahawks.  Being a truck driver, he loved traveling and could give directions to anywhere.      

He is survived by his wife, Juanita Cuellar of Roscoe; daughter, Feliciana Campa and husband Lucan of Roscoe; son, Roman Cuellar and wife Eva of Grand Prairie; son, Julian Cuellar and wife Veronica of Roscoe; daughters, Manuela Cuellar of Snyder; daughter, Esther Hernandez and husband Brian of Snyder; John Garcia of Lamesa; Albert Castaneda and wife Trina of Brownsboro; Anita Castaneda of Sweetwater; and Stephanie Lopez and husband Reynaldo of Ranger; twenty-nine grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Juan Cuellar; and two sisters, Juanita Moncada and Maria Guerra.  

Pallbearers will be Diego Vela, Julian Cuellar, Jr., Adam Cabrera, Dominic Cabrera, Albert Castaneda, Jr., and Roman Cuellar, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Hernandez, Eric Castaneda, and Aaron Cuellar.  

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Covid-19 Closes Roscoe Collegiate Classes

Yesterday, an outbreak of Covid-19 forced Roscoe Collegiate to cancel its in-person instruction in all divisions—Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary. 

All classes shifted to remote instruction starting this morning and will continue on all scheduled school days until at least Monday, November 30, the first school day after Thanksgiving Break. At that time, regular classes will resume or not, depending on an assessment of the situation.  

Six staff members and one student have tested positive in the Early Childhood Center, necessitating the quarantining of 46 students. Elementary has one positive student and two positive staff members with 11 students and 2 staff quarantined. Secondary has 11 positive students and 2 positive staff members with 74 students and no staff quarantined.

Parents of students were informed of the situation by a letter posted on the school website yesterday afternoon. Next week a parent-response survey will be posted to help determine if the situation has eased enough to re-open regular classes at school after Thanksgiving.

For more information, the letter to parents is available here.

The Covid-19 numbers at the school are available here.

The RCISD Mitigation Plan Summary is available here.

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The Roscoe Lions Club posted on Facebook yesterday this photo of member Jerry Roberts as it lamented his passing on Sunday from complications of Covid-19 after a “very tough, nearly 5 week battle.”

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QUANAH ENDS PLOWBOYS’ FOOTBALL SEASON

The Quanah Indians defeated the Plowboys 51-22 in a bi-district battle played last Thursday in Abernathy. They jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter and led all the way from that point on. The halftime score was 30-6.

Quanah now moves on to the next round and will play Muenster tomorrow evening while the Plowboys move on to basketball.

Quanah 51 - Plowboys 22

Scoring by quarters:
                          1            2          3          4         T
Quanah            8          22        14          7        51
Plowboys         0            6          0        16        22

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PLOWGIRLS FALL TO BLACKWELL, IRA GAME CANCELED

On Saturday, Blackwell defeated the Plowgirls 47-39 at a game played in Blackwell. 

Carson Greenwood led the Plowgirls in scoring with 27 of the Plowgirls’ 39 points while Shauna McCambridge pulled down 11 rebounds.

Individual scoring: Carson Greenwood 27, Cameron Greenwood 4, Jacey Rodriquez 3, Kirsten Welch 3, Shauna McCambridge 2.

Rebounds: McCambridge 11, Car. Greenwood 9, Rodriquez 4, Mia Lavalais 1, Cam. Greenwood 1.

Scoring by quarters:
                             1          2         3          4         T
Blackwell           3        13        11        20        47
Plowgirls          14          6          6        13        39      

The home game with Ira last night was canceled due to the Covid-19 outbreak at school. The upcoming games with Eula here on Friday and Post there on Monday are currently tentative depending on the Covid-19 situation and those schools' willingness to play the games.

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COVID-19 CONTINUES TO SPREAD

In the United States, case numbers are surging in most states, leading to warnings about full hospitals and exhausted health care workers.  Chicago and St. Louis have put strict limits on gatherings, and Oregon and New Mexico are ordering residents to stay at home. The northern midwestern and northwestern states continue to be the hardest hit. Their numbers of new deaths are also increasing.

In Texas, health experts are worried that family gatherings at Thanksgiving could compound the problem as hospitalizations continue to rise statewide. Airlines are reporting that the upcoming holiday will be the busiest time since March. Health officials are also up against a public tired of following precautions and wanting to return to normal life.

In the Big Country, Abilene’s number of active Covid-19 cases continues to grow. The month of October in Taylor County began with 4 active cases. By November 1 that number was 1,499, and as of yesterday had grown to 2,249. The number of hospitalizations has also grown to around 83, up from 50 last week. The 22-county Big Country region ICU beds are full, and the hospitals are requesting staffing help from the state. Abilene hospitals have now had 89 total Covid-19 deaths, up from 84 last week.

Locally, Nolan County now has 94 active cases, almost doubling the 48 of last week. The little chart for Nolan County in the Hard Times’ right-hand column is still showing a high infection rate. Mitchell County has 31 active cases, the same as last week, and Fisher County has 12 active cases, down from 18 last week. In Scurry County, the numbers have gone up again. It now has 161 active cases compared to 107 last week. Scurry County has now had 19 Covid-19 deaths with 3 this past week.

Here are the Big Country’s county totals for the year as of yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Jones, 1,578 (855); Howard, 1,516 (1,265); Scurry, 1,397 (1,239); Erath, 1,217 (1,124); Brown, 837 (740); Nolan, 580 (479); Comanche, 408 (391); Runnels, 325 (313); Eastland, 316 (285); Mitchell, 263 (233); Stephens, 216 (173); Callahan 180 (153); Coleman, 169 (105); Coke, 153 (136); Fisher, 140 (128); Knox, 116 (114); Haskell, 93 (90); Shackelford, 46 (42); Stonewall, 24 (21); Throckmorton, 22 (20); Kent, 19 (12).
 
Selected west Texas counties yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Lubbock, 26,145 (22,634); Midland, 6,576 (5,843); Wichita (Wichita Falls), 5,558 (4,644); Ector (Odessa), 4,864 (4,360); Tom Green (San Angelo), 3,057 (2,824).

On Monday, Texas had a total of 1,039,513 cases (963,019 last week), 139,048 of them active (126,412 last week), and 19,579 total deaths (18,769 last week).

 --o--

WEATHER REPORT: NICE FALL WEATHER

Clear skies at yesterday's sunrise.

This past week has been just about as uneventful as it ever gets in west Texas as far as the weather is concerned. The only exception was on Saturday when the high reached 82°F with dusty skies and strong southwest winds with gusts up to 4omph. Friday the 13th was the coolest day with cloudy skies and a high of 58°, and Sunday was probably the prettiest day with clear, sunny skies, a high of 63° and practically no wind at all.

The coolest low of the week was 41° on Sunday morning.  Wednesday, Thursday, Monday, and yesterday all had sunny skies and afternoon highs in the mid-seventies. It was also another week with no precipitation.  

The forecast is for more of the same. The highs for the rest of the week should all be in the mid-seventies—74° today, 77° tomorrow, 78° Friday, and 74° Saturday. Today will have strong south winds and so will tomorrow. The wind will diminish on Friday, and Saturday should be partly cloudy and nice.

On Sunday, a cold front will move through with north winds and a high of only about 58°. Skies will be cloudy, and forecasters are giving us a 50% chance of rain. The low on Sunday should drop to around 39°. Monday will also be cool with a high of 54°, but the rest of next week should be nice again.

The current forecast for Thanksgiving Day next week is for sunny skies, light south winds, and a high of 75°.

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ROSCOE IN YEARS GONE BY: FLYING KITES

Editor's note: Many of us who grew up as kids in the ‘50s were familiar with the old folks chiding us for our “modern” softness. Along with their oft-repeated complaint of walking a mile or two to school barefooted in the snow was their reply to the question about what they did for toys back in the good old days. The answer usually went something like this:“Toys? We didn’t have no toys! We made our own toys!”

The following account is apparently a version of that old familiar trope. With that said, it certainly has the ring of truth to it, so I present it here as a former aspect of growing up now unknown to young people who spend their down time lost in computer games on their phones and tablets.

It was written by George Parks in his Pickin’s column of the Roscoe Times of March 4, 1974. He was responding to another article in that week’s issue warning young people about the dangers of kite flying, written by the manager of Texas Electric, telling them what to do if their kite got caught in the electric wires, the dangers of using wire instead of string to fly the kite, and of flying kites in the rain.

Ray Rhodes, of Texas Electric Service Co., is quoted on this page as giving advice to kids about “making their kites.”

Seriously now, Ray, do kids make kites nowadays, or do they hurry down to the supermarket to buy an already made one? To an old kite fancier like myself, the sport of flying these childhood toys has lost its old touch.

As a boy I made my own kites, cutting the sticks from an apple or orange crate (they didn't come in a cardboard box then), made my own flour-paste to put the wrapping paper on, and was ready to go. Later I had some store-bought paste, but everything else was the same.

And I flew my kites high—putting out a mile of string on them sometimes—not a mere 100 or 200 feet as I see mostly nowadays. You'd get your kite away out there, and when they hollered supper was ready, you'd stake it out by tying the string to a convenient post, and let 'er fly by remote control until you got back.

Even later, when I was in this boy's organization I have inflicted myself on for the past 42 years come March 29, kite flying was still a “do-it-yourself” thing.

And we had kite-making contests. To win the smallest kite that would fly, broom straws were used for sticks. The winner was about the size of a postage stamp, and silk thread was used to fly it. The biggest had 2x4's for sticks. and binder twine was the string. It would have carried 1 boy up with it, but fortunately we were careful about that, and only got it a little way up and brought it down quickly. It was 7 feet high and 5 feet across.

Of all the boys I ever knew, Walter Maloney, now a sober Sweetwater pharmacist, took the prize. He could have made and flown kites 24 hours a day if schools and meals and other necessary items hadn’t interfered.

By that time, a box kite was my long suit, and I’d make one each spring, and we'd fly it until summer came. Often we'd be around the old tabernacle, and folks would have to look a time or two to see the kite way up high over the city disposal plant a mile away.

No, Ray, I'm afraid kids nowadays don't know the real thrill of kite flying—making it yourself, and sending it high in the blue sky to fly still and stately for hours on end.

Not a store-boughten contraption a mere 150 feet in the air, for 20 minutes or so!

--o--

† JERRY D.WAYNE ROBERTS

Graveside services for Jerry D.Wayne Roberts, 57, of Sweetwater will be at 2:00pm Saturday, November 21, at Sweetwater Cemetery with McCoy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. He passed away Sunday, November 15, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at McCoy Funeral Home.

Jerry was born May 5, 1963, in Hamlin to the late Amos L. and Noralyn Jean (Miller) Roberts. He married Deborah Crawford June 2, 1979, in Sweetwater. Jerry worked as Warehouse Manager for Nutrien AG Solutions in Roscoe for 20 years. He is a graduate of Sweetwater High School, member of the Roscoe Lions Club and had lived in the Sweetwater-Roscoe area most of his life.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 41 plus years, Debbie of Sweetwater; daughters, Brook Bailey of Roby, Candace Smith and husband Wayland of Sweetwater; sisters, Marilyn Eivens and husband Billy of Sweetwater, and Darla Hendrix of Sweetwater; grandchildren, Kaylyn, Destynee, Devon, Dakota, Sara, Jimmy, and Erica; great-grandchildren, Neveah, Nickovey, Shaylee and Jah-Kari; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins, and his brother-in-law, Allen Crawford and wife Merry of Sweetwater.

He is also preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law June and Charles Crawford.

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Plowboys Beat Crosbyton, Advance to Playoffs

Plowboys celebrate after Friday's victory.

The Plowboys came away with a 42-34 win at Crosbyton Friday and, in doing so, qualified for the playoffs. The state playoff setup allows four teams from each district to advance, and since Roscoe’s district, 5-2A-II, had only five teams, the Plowboy victory gave them a final 1-3 district record, and Crosbyton’s loss left them at 0-4. So, the Plowboys fill that fourth playoff slot and will play Quanah tomorrow evening in a bi-district contest at Abernathy.

In Crosbyton, the Plowboys jumped out to an early first-quarter lead and maintained it the entire game. Still, the Chiefs had their chances and kept the game interesting. The Plowboys finished the first quarter with a 20-6 lead and were ahead at halftime 30-22.

They had a 42-28 lead in the fourth quarter, but Crosbyton narrowed the gap to 42-34 with a late touchdown. However, the Plowboys then held on for the win.

Antonio Aguayo led the Plowboys on offense with 10 carries for 181 yards and 3 TDs. He was also perfect with his passes, completing 6 of 6 for 130 yards. Kolten Hope had 11 carries for 52 yards and 1 TD, and Jake Gonzales had 7 carries for 54 yards and 1 TD. Seth Wilcox had 4 carries for 31 yards and caught two passes for 61 yards. Zackary Jordan caught 1 pass for 37 yards.

Gonzales led the defense with 11 tackles, Reese Kiser had 10 with 2 for losses, Richie Solis had 9 with 1 for a loss, and Zeke Murphy had 8.

The win in the final district game gives the Plowboys something positive to build on for the coming year.

Plowboys vs. Quanah in Abernathy Tomorrow

The Plowboys’ bi-district opponent is the Quanah Indians. The Indians are the champions of District 6-2A-II and were undefeated in district play, going 4-0, and 5-4 on the season.

They won their first game against Haskell 35-13, then lost four in a row--35-22 to Celeste, 15-7 to Wheeler, 30-28 to Ralls, and 30-19 to Clarendon. However, once they reached their district games, they beat Archer City 38-20, Electra 42-0, Olney 53-8, and Seymour 62-35.

Their win over favored Archer City 38-20 decided their district championship. The Indians are led on offense by QB Landin Leija, RB Jakobe Mogary, and WR Bradin Thomas. Defensive leaders are LB Troy Conner and LB Andrew Meza.

Kickoff in Abernathy tomorrow evening is at 6:30pm.

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PLOWGIRLS FINISH FOURTH AT REGIONAL MEET

The Plowgirls finished fourth in Class 2A at the Regional Cross-Country Meet held in Lubbock Monday and yesterday, and none of them or the two Plowboys qualified for the state meet in Austin later this month.

Nevertheless, they have all been a bright spot for the school and community this fall, and we congratulate them for their accomplishments and hard work.

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PLOWGIRLS WIN ONE, LOSE ONE TO OPEN SEASON

2020-2021 Plowgirls' basketball: Mia Lavalais, Shauna McCambridge, Cameron Greenwood, Carson Greenwood, Kaidy Ornelas, Kirsten Welch, Jissel Rodriquez, Jacey Rodriquez. Their head coach is Shella Arnwine.

The Plowgirls started their basketball season right with a 39-35 win over the Robert Lee Lady Steers at the Special Events Center Saturday.

Scoring by quarters:
                             1          2         3         4          T
Plowgirls          10        14        13        2         39
Robert Lee       12          7          7        9         35

Jacey Rodriquez led the Plowgirls in individual scoring with 15 points. Carson Greenwood made 9, Shauna McCambridge 6, Kaidy Ornelas 4, Mia Lavalais 3, and Cameron Greenwood 2.

McCambridge had the most rebounds with 12, Carson Greenwood had 4, Rodriquez 3, and Ornelas 1.

Then, yesterday evening they lost a close game in Eula to Eula, 42-40. Although no one likes to lose, a two-point loss to the Lady Pirates is not necessarily a bad sign as that school has always been an area power when it comes to girls’ basketball.

Scoring by quarters:
                             1          2          3           4          T
Eula                   10        14         9           9         42
Plowgirls          14          5          1         20         40

Carson Greenwood led the Plowgirls in individual scoring with 12 points. Kaidy Ornelas and Mia Lavalais both had 8, Jacey Rodriquez had 5, Shauna McCambridge 4, and Carson Greenwood 3.

McCambridge had 8 rebounds, Carson Greenwood 4, Jacey Rodriquez 3, and Ornelas, Lavalais, and Cameron Greenwood 1 each.

The Plowgirls’ next game is with Blackwell in Blackwell on Friday.

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ROSCOE CITY COUNCIL HAS LIGHT MEETING

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

The Roscoe City Council had its monthly meeting in City Hall yesterday, and it was a relatively light one with no pressing action items to deal with. The City Manager gave the Council updates on public works, and the Police Chief delivered the City’s October Police Report.

City Manager Cody Thompson said that City workers gathered and burned many broken tree limbs from the recent ice and windstorm. He also said that the crew had lost employee Brandon Reed to a higher paying job elsewhere.

He reported that City workers will soon complete the required work on the old sanitary sewer plant.

He also reported that major work will begin in the next couple of weeks on two of the town’s lift stations. In the main lift station by the baseball field, new pump rails will have to be installed for the pumps due to wear and tear, rust, and age since the facility is approximately 15 to 17 years old and due for an upgrade. Repair on the northside lift station next to FM 608 is already in progress.

All pump houses and R. O. water facilities have been winterized.

Plans with the TWDB (Texas Water Development Board) and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) continue and are nearing completion. Months have been added due to Covid-19 and bids for the water line project will likely go out in Spring 2021.

Chief of Police Felix Pantoja then gave the Police Report for the month of October. He told the Council that Roscoe Police handled 77 total calls last month, gave 9 warnings for code violations, issued 4 citations, investigated 2 thefts and 3 vehicle burglaries, dealt with one stolen vehicle and its recovery, handled one unattended death, and impounded two dogs. He also mentioned that Officer Clay Bradshaw received an honorable discharge and is no longer with the Department.

--o--

COMMUNITY CENTER THANKSGIVING LUNCH CANCELED

The Roscoe Community Center regrets to inform everyone that due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be having the Community Center's annual Thanksgiving Meal this year.  

We will be planning a Free Meal for the community at a later date. Sorry for the cancellation and thank you for your understanding.

THANKS TO VENDORS AND SHOPPERS

The Roscoe Community Center would like to thank all vendors who participated in our  "Christmas in November Trade Show" this past weekend!

We would also like to thank all who came and shopped with us! We had a fun time and will see everyone at our next event in the spring

--o--

COVID-19 CONTINUES TO RAGE

The United States is now the worst affected country in the world with over 10 million cases reported and over 240,000 deaths. Hospitalizations have hit an all-time high and have more than doubled since September. Case numbers continue to spike, especially in the northern Midwest and west, with states like North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana seeing new Covid-19 cases at record levels.

Numbers in Texas are not quite as bad, but NBC and other major national news outlets are reporting that Texas has just become the first state to surpass a million Covid-19 cases. If it were a country, Texas would be listed at tenth in total number. California is second with 960,000. The recent surge in cases comes mainly from Harris, Dallas, and El Paso counties, although Lubbock, Amarillo, and Laredo are also at crisis level. Texas is also the state with the most Covid-19 cases on college campuses—over 20,000 at 83 schools—but this is primarily because it has the most schools with in-person classes this semester.

In the Big Country, Abilene’s number of active Covid-19 cases also continues to grow. The month of October in Taylor County began with 4 active cases. By November 1 that number had grown to 1,499, and as of yesterday was 1,867. The number of hospitalizations has also grown to around 50, although yesterday’s exact number was not available since the Hendrick Health System shut its computer systems down because of a security threat. The state is sending Hendrick assistance to staff ICU beds. The 22-county Big Country region has only one open ICU bed, and it is in Rolling Plains Hospital in Sweetwater. Abilene hospitals have now had 85 total Covid-19 deaths, including 7 more this past week. San Angelo’s numbers show similar increases with 1,135 active cases and 51 hospitalizations. Tom Green County now has 61 Covid-19 deaths.

Locally, Nolan County now has 48 active cases, up from 42 last week. The little chart for Nolan County in the Hard Times’ right-hand column is still showing a high infection rate. Mitchell County has 31 active cases, down from last week’s 43, and Fisher County has 18 active cases, the same as last week. In Scurry County, the numbers have gone up again. It now has 107 active cases compared to 95 last week. Scurry County has now had 16 Covid-19 deaths.

Here are the Big Country’s county totals for the year as of yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Howard, 1,265 (1,231); Scurry, 1,239 (1,167); Erath, 1,124 (1,090); Jones, 855 (613); Brown, 740 (701); Nolan, 479 (448); Comanche, 391 (381); Runnels, 313 (307); Eastland, 285 (273); Mitchell, 233 (212); Stephens, 173 (170); Callahan 153 (146); Coke, 136 (129); Fisher, 128 (124); Knox, 114 (114); Coleman, 105 (98); Haskell, 90 (89); Shackelford, 42 (40); Stonewall, 21 (21); Throckmorton, 20 (19); Kent, 12 (12).
 
Selected west Texas counties yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Lubbock, 22,634 (20,328); Midland, 5,843 (5,540); Wichita (Wichita Falls), 4,644 (4,189); Ector (Odessa), 4,360 (4,060); Tom Green (San Angelo), 2,824 (2,680).

On Monday, Texas had a total of 963,019 cases (916,773 last week), 126,412 of them active (108,522 last week), and 18,769 total deaths (18,194 last week).

--o--

ANSON PLAYS WINTERS AT PLOWBOY FIELD FRIDAY

If you see the lights on at Plowboy Field Friday evening and hear bands playing, don’t worry. You aren’t missing a Plowboy game. The Anson Tigers will be playing the Winters Blizzards there. 

The Abilene Reporter-News has selected it as its Big Country Game of the Week, so it should be a good game should you decide to attend.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: PRETTY FALL WEATHER

Yesterday's sunrise.

There were no weather surprises this past week, as nothing of major import occurred. The freezing weather and ice storm of the previous week left many broken limbs and caused a mass movement of leaves from the trees to the ground. But skies were clear with few to no clouds, and temperatures were completely within the normal range for this time of year. The maximum for the week was Thursday’s 81°F with the other daily highs ranging from 80° to 75° and lows from 44° to 58°.

The outlook for the coming week is for more of the same but a little cooler as days grow shorter and Thanksgiving approaches. Today’s high will reach only 74° with sunny skies and southerly winds at 9mph. Tomorrow will be slightly warmer at 78° under mostly sunny skies, Friday will be mostly cloudy with a high of only 66° along with a 20% chance of rain. Saturday will reach 78° under partly cloudy skies and Sunday will be sunny with a high of 72° and northeast winds of 12-15mph. Lows will range from 46° to 57° between now and Sunday.

Chances for rain are slim with 20% or less given for days in the next couple of weeks.

--o--

Christmas Open House This Sunday

Christmas Open House customers shop in a previous year.

It’s that time of year once again! Christmas Open House is back this Sunday, November 8, as Roscoe’s popular shopping event launches local merchants and shoppers into the holiday season.

Between 11:00am and 5:00pm, the occasion will feature shopping and refreshments and include most of Roscoe’s downtown businesses: Cotton Belles Gifts, Vickie’s Gifts, Wildflower Boutique, McVey’s Nursery, Southern Belle Salon & Gifts, and the Lumberyard, as well as the Roscoe Community Center’s Vendors Show.

Visits to Vickie’s Gifts from 9am-6:00pm are by appointment only this year.  Please call 325-766-3407 to schedule one.

The Roscoe Express shuttle will operate all afternoon carrying visitors from one business to the next at no charge. 

You won’t want to miss it!

--o--

2020 NOLAN COUNTY PRECINCT 6 ELECTION RESULTS

Precinct 6 voting was at the First Baptist Church.

The votes are in from yesterday’s general election. The count below includes all votes for Precinct 6, Roscoe’s precinct, whether absentee, early, or election day. 

In Precinct 6, 670 votes were cast out of 1,108 registered voters, which is a 60.5% turnout. Of the 670, 39 were mailed in, 355 were early votes, and 276 were on election day.

The turnout of 670 voters this year beat the past two Presidential elections. In the 2012 election, Precinct 6 had 606 voters. In 2016, there were 617.

United States President / Vice President
Donald Trump / Michael Pence (R)      536
Joseph Biden / Kamala Harris (D)        123
Jo Jorgensen / Jenny Cohen (L)                6
Howie Hawkins / Angela Walker (G)        2

United States Senator
John Cornyn (R)                                       533
M. J. Hegar (D)                                          112
Kerry McKerron (L)                                    14
David Collins (G)                                          2

United States Representative District 19
Jody Arrington (R)                                  542
Tom Watson (D)                                      105
Joe Burnes (L)                                            18

State Representative District 71
Stan Lambert (R)                                     536
Samuel Hatton (D)                                  169

State Railroad Commissioner
James Wright (R)                                   522
Chrysta Castaneda (D)                           110
Matt Sterett (L)                                         15
Katia Gruene (G)                                        4          

Chief Justice State Supreme Court
Nathan Hecht (R)                                   522
Amy Meachum (D)                                 114
Mark Ash (L)                                              11

Voting for State Supreme Court places, State Court of Criminal Appeals judges and State Board of Education places are not included here, nor are the unopposed races for State Senator (Charles Perry) or other State and County offices. 

--o-- 

CROSS-COUNTRY PLOWGIRLS ADVANCE TO REGIONALS

Plowgirl Jissel Rodriquez leads as Kaidy Ornelas vies for second.

The RCHS Plowgirl Cross-Country team finished as runners-up in the district meet in Coleman last Wednesday, which qualifies them for the Regional Meet in Lubbock on November 9-10.

Individual runners qualifying include Jissel Rodriquez, Kaidy Ornelas, and Mahalia Calderon, along with Plowboys Caleb Reed and Graham Gleaton.

Congratulations to the entire team and their coaches, and good luck in Lubbock!

--o--

PLOWBOYS LOSE TWO MORE, FACE CROSBYTON FRIDAY

Under a full moon, Antonio Aguayo makes 9 yards against Lockney.

It’s been another two rough weeks for the Plowboys. They lost on Thursday night, October 22, to Ralls at Plowboy Field, 76-6. In that game, the lone Plowboy score came in the first quarter as Kolten Hope went two yards for a touchdown. The rest of the game was all Jackrabbits.

Then on this past Friday evening, they played their last home game of the season against the Lockney Longhorns, losing 54-20. The defense was unable to contain big runs by Longhorn running back Nathan Coniceros, who scored most of the Lockney TDs.

This time the Plowboys did better on offense, however, as freshman quarterback Jax Watts threw for 126 yards and two TDs, Kolten Hope rushed for 123 yards, and Antonio Aguayo scored all three Plowboy touchdowns, one by rushing and the other two on pass plays.

Scoring by quarters:
                            1          2          3         4           T
Lockney           22        18        14        0          54
Plowboys           7          0          7        6          20

This week the Plowboys play their final district game against Crosbyton in Crosbyton. This one will be a battle of the beatens, as Roscoe enters the game without a victory, while the Chiefs are currently 1-8 on the season, their only victory coming against Munday, 52-22. They had to forfeit to Hamlin because of active Covid-19 cases and otherwise have lost to Lockney 38-8, Ropes 28-16, Sudan 33-0, Tahoka 21-8, Memphis 30-16, Shamrock 28-14, and Ralls 38-0.

The Chiefs are led by QB A. J. Pesina and RB Eric Marquez on offense and DL Andre Lara and LB Fabian Munoz on defense.

Kickoff in Crosbyton is at 7:00pm.

--o--

ROSCOE MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ABILENE WRECK

Gary Bradley, 30, of Roscoe has been seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash in Abilene. The accident occurred in the 2800 block of East Highway 80 at about 5pm on Sunday.

According to the police, Bradley’s westbound Ford F-150 crossed both eastbound lanes and struck a south guardrail, traveled west along it, and collided with a 2020 Toyota Tundra driven by Gary Slagle, 56, of Clyde. Also in the Tundra were June Byrd, 58, of Abilene and a 16-year-old passenger.

Bradley’s pickup then continued west along the outside eastbound lane, went into a grassy area on the south side of the road and rolled over into a ditch. Bradley was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected.

The Toyota Tundra was then struck by an eastbound 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by Melissa Alvarado, 38, of Abilene with a 6-year-old passenger.

Bradley and Byrd were taken by ambulance to Hendrick Medical Center before being flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Bradley had severe head injuries, and Byrd severe damage to her right arm.

Others in the accident were treated for minor injuries.

--o--

COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOST “CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER”

This weekend, the Roscoe Community Center will host “Christmas in November,” a craft and trade show featuring over 20 vendors, including Mary Kay, Norwex, lots of jewelry, furniture, knives, fishing lures, wooden crafts, clothing, and more.

They will be open 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday and 11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday in conjunction with the Christmas Open House event with downtown Roscoe businesses.

A food truck will be serving delicious food both days.

Then, on Sunday, November 22, the Community Center will host the annual Thanksgiving Lunch from 11:30am to 1:30pm. This is a free meal for our community, and all are invited.

If you would like to volunteer your time by helping prepare food or serving, please contact Connie Baize at 325-338-1287.

--o--

2020-21 ROSCOE COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

DATE              OPPONENT                   LOCATION      VG      VB
Nov 7               Robert Lee                      Roscoe              2:30     -----
Nov 10             Eula                                 Eula                   6:30     -----
Nov 13             Blackwell                        Blackwell          6:30     -----
Nov 17              Ira                                   Roscoe               TBA     -----
Nov 20             Eula                                Roscoe               6:30     8:00
Nov 23             Post                                 Post                    6:30     -----
Nov 23             OPEN                             TBA                     -----    TBA
Dec 1                Westbrook                     Roscoe               6:30     8:00
Dec 4               Bronte                             Roscoe               6:30     8:00
Dec 8               Hamlin                            Roscoe              6:30     8:00
Dec 11              Lueders-Avoca              Roscoe               6:00     7:30
Dec 15             *COLEMAN                   Coleman            TBA     -----
Dec 15             Highland                         Roscoe               -----      6:30
Dec 18             *MILES                           Miles                  TBA     -----
Dec 18             Robert Lee                     Robert Lee         -----      8:00
Dec 22             Cross Plains                   Roscoe               -----      TBA
Dec 28             Rankin                            Rankin              3:30      5:00
Dec 29             Hermleigh                      Roscoe              6:30      8:00
Jan 2                Christoval                      Christoval         -----      2:15
Jan 5                *FORSAN                      Roscoe               6:30     8:00
Jan 8                *WINTERS                   Winters              6:30     8:00
Jan 12              *COLORADO CITY      Roscoe               6:30     8:00
Jan 15              *COLEMAN                  Roscoe                6:30     8:00
Jan 19              *MILES                          Roscoe                6:30     8:00
Jan 22              *FORSAN                     Forsan                 6:30     8:00
Jan 26              *WINTERS                   Roscoe                6:30     8:00
Jan 29              *COLORADO CITY     Colorado City    6:30     8:00
Feb 2                *COLEMAN                  Coleman             -----      6:30
Feb 2                Extra Game Date          Girls only                        TBA
Feb 5                *MILES                          Miles                    -----      6:30
Feb 5                Extra Game Date          Girls only                         TBA
Feb 9                Extra Game Date          Boys Only                        TBA
Feb 12              Extra Game Date          Boys Only                        TBA

The following Saturdays MAY be used as make-up dates for district games if needed: Dec 19, Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6, Feb 13.

Head Girls’ Coach: Shella Arnwine                  
Assistants: Heather Greenwood, Lacey Gregory, Veronica Cuellar
Head Boys’ Coach: Joe Rackley          
Assistants: Ryan Dillon, Shawn Speck, Kevin Lavalais
Athletic Director: Jake Freeman

--o--

COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GROW

The Covid-19 numbers continue to increase in the country, state, and region. In the country, there has been an average of 85,563 new cases per day, an increase of 44% from the average two weeks ago. There have now been 232,500 deaths in the U.S. with no end in sight. Currently, the states seeing the most increases are in the upper midwest and northwest—North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Illinois.

In Texas, the number of cases is increasing and has been since the beginning of October. However, it is still considerably lower than it was at its peak in July. Back then, there were over 10,000 hospitalizations, while now the number is more like 6,000. However, that number is more than the 3,500 or so on October 1. In the past week, the number of hospitalizations has increased statewide by 424, and the average number of new cases has increased by 233 cases a day. Especially hard hit are cities like El Paso, Lubbock, and Amarillo.

In the Big Country, Taylor County continues to show a significant increase in its Covid-19 numbers. It now has 1,515 active cases compared to 937 two weeks ago, and 519 four weeks ago. The county’s number of hospitalizations is also increasing with 58 yesterday compared to 37 two weeks ago and 20 a month ago. The percentage of Covid-19 patients has reached 16%, and if it stays that high for a week, bars will be closed, and there will be reductions in occupancy for other businesses per an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott. Abilene hospitals have now had 78 total Covid-19 deaths, including 9 more in the last two weeks.

Locally, Nolan County now has 42 active cases, down from 50 two weeks ago but still up 20 from four weeks ago. The little chart for Nolan County in the Hard Times’ right-hand column is still showing a high infection rate. Mitchell County has 43 active cases, 4 more than two weeks ago, and Fisher County has 30 active cases, up 15 from two weeks ago. In Scurry County, the numbers show a slight improvement. It now has 95 active cases compared to 103 two weeks ago. However, the numbers are still high compared to the past for each of these counties, so if you are local, remember to take proper precautions when out in public. Scurry County has now had 16 Covid-19 deaths.

Here are the Big Country’s county totals for the year as of yesterday (with two weeks ago in parentheses): Howard, 1,231 (1,040); Scurry, 1,167 (996); Erath, 1,090 (974); Brown, 701 (636); Jones, 613 (586); Nolan, 448 (378); Comanche, 381 (343); Runnels, 307 (287); Eastland, 273 (226); Mitchell, 212 (154); Stephens, 170 (151); Callahan 146 (110); Coke, 129 (90); Fisher, 124 (91); Knox, 114 (110); Coleman, 98 (84); Haskell, 89 (77); Shackelford, 40 (34); Stonewall, 21 (18); Throckmorton, 19 (16); Kent, 12 (10).
 
Selected west Texas counties yesterday (with two weeks ago in parentheses): Lubbock, 20,328 (15,908); Midland, 5,540 (4,550); Wichita (Wichita Falls), 4,189 (3,023); Ector (Odessa), 4,060 (3,528); Tom Green (San Angelo), 2,680 (2,514).

Texas now has had a total of 916,773 cases (833,557 two weeks ago), 108,522 of them active (83,973 two weeks ago), and 18,194 total deaths (17,087 two weeks ago).

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: AN EARLY FREEZE, THEN MILD

Yesterday's sky at sunrise.

During last week when I was spending time with my daughters, granddaughters, and family, the Roscoe area got its first freeze of the year. In the process, the 26°F temperature killed a lot of cotton, sunflowers, and other assorted plants earlier than usual. The cold front came with a wintry mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain amounting to an official .40" and lasted for three days before warming back up to 60° on Thursday.

Since then, we’ve had nice, mild weather. Friday’s high was 68°, and the football game that evening was played in favorable conditions. On Saturday, the high rose to 80°, and the freezing weather of three days earlier was already just a memory. Since then, we’ve mostly had clear skies with highs of 69° on Sunday, 73° Monday, and 76° yesterday.

On Sunday, it was "fall back" one hour for clocks as daylight savings time ended. I'm already getting used to the new times, but I think my cat is still confused about why his supper seems later than usual.

The forecast is for partly cloudy weather and a high today of 82° along with sunny skies and warmer temperatures for the next few days. Today’s southwest winds will be breezy, but will shift to the north tomorrow and be light for a few days under sunny skies with highs of 81° on Thursday, 77° Friday, 75° Saturday, and 79° Sunday. Morning lows will be in the fifties.

There is no rain in the forecast.

--o--

† FRANCES JOY (MARTH) RICHBURG

A Celebration of Life for Frances Joy (Marth) Richburg, 83, of Roscoe will be held at 2:00pm this Saturday, November 7, at First Salem Lutheran Church in Roscoe. Graveside services will follow at Roscoe Cemetery with McCoy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. She passed away on Friday, October 23, at Hoyt Place in Sweetwater.

Visitation will be held this Friday, November 6, at McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater from 5:00-7:00pm.

Frances Joy (Marth) Richburg was born September 24, 1937, to Rudolph Henry Marth and Jessie Oleta (Allen) Marth at their family farm west of Roscoe. Frances was forever a Roscoe Plowgirl. She played basketball, was high school band drum major, was a leader of her local and state Luther League youth groups, and cooked and sewed it up as a 4H Club and Future Homemakers of America member. She graduated from RHS in 1956 and continued her education at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1960. Upon graduation, her first teaching job was in Snyder ISD from 1960-1962.

On June 4, 1962, Frances married Donald Allen Richburg. From September to December of 1962, she had her first stint of teaching in Roscoe ISD. Starting in 1963, she took a hiatus from teaching and stayed at home to raise a family. While raising 5 children, she planted, nurtured, harvested, froze, canned and cooked enough food to feed an army and a community. Her fried okra, black eyed peas, and cornbread were legendary, and if there were cinnamon biscuits on the breakfast table, some with pecans, some without, everyone knew it was Sunday. She read her kids books, books, and more books, teaching nursery rhymes and songs, always having time to hold, snuggle, and love on each one as if they were her only child. Many Roscoe students rode the bus to her home after their school day to take piano lessons from Mrs. Richburg. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ for First Salem Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, volunteering as a 4H Leader, completing Master Gardening classes, teaching as a substitute, and supporting Roscoe Plowboy and Plowgirl athletics.

In 1981 Frances returned to full-time teaching of science and health at Roscoe Elementary School, retiring in June 2001 after 20 years of service. Always with a positive attitude, always believing something wonderful was about to happen, she supported and encouraged her 5 children through their college years and celebrated with each their graduation. Upon her retirement, she enjoyed spending time reading, traveling to visit her children and grandchildren in their homes, joining her mom, Jessie, in visiting with and taking donuts and coffee to nursing home residents, and volunteering with her husband at the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. She shared her sweet spirit and infectious smile everywhere her travels took her.

Frances is survived by her five children: Marsha Sanders (Greg Pearson) of Kokomo, IN, Danny (Susan) Richburg of Amarillo, Nathan (Jan) Richburg of Farmersville, Allen Richburg of Roscoe, and Mira (Bill) Brown of Denton. She was a wonderful grandmother to her 15 grandchildren: Nolan (Ashley) Sanders, Cameron Sanders, Weston (Marlee) Richburg, Garrad (Shawna) Richburg, Whitney (Landon) Brantley, Haley (Spencer) Scott, Adrien (Shane) Weeks, Erin Richburg, Aiden Richburg, Shelby (Daniel) Linebaugh, Kaylie Brown, and lovingly adopted Alex (Julie) Armenta, Juan (Kylee) Armenta, Cindy (Jon) Ventura, and Javier Armenta as her own; she is survived also by her 9 great-grandchildren and was eagerly awaiting the birth of two more.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her brother Donald Marth, and her parents.

In continuation of her love of science and education, in 2010, Frances had arranged to donate her body to Texas Tech School of Medicine. Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic of 2020 prevented this from occurring. Thanks to Hoyt Place staff and residents who became not only her friends but an extension of her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frances’ name will be accepted by First Salem Lutheran Church of Roscoe and West Texas Rehabilitation Center of Abilene.

--o--

† LINDA DEAN

A graveside service will be held in Crystal Falls at a future date for Linda Dean, 76, who passed away at her home on Friday, October 30.

Linda was born on September 25, 1944, to J.B. and Mabel Lamb in Cherokee County, Texas. She graduated from Stamford High School and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian College in 1969. She had a passion for teaching high school English with a career that spanned 31 years with time spent teaching in Breckenridge, Bryson, Roscoe, and Woodson. She married Upton Dean on January 22, 1965. They raised two sons, George and Andy, and one daughter, Cheyanna.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, J. B. and Mabel Lamb.

She is survived by her husband: Upton Dean of Roscoe; brother, Jim Lamb and wife Pam of Maryland; sons, George Dean of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Andy Dean and wife Cindy of Hewitt, Texas; daughter, Cheyanna Birch and husband Mike of Orange, Texas; six grandchildren, Dakota, Ciara, Spencer, Caleb, Lauren, and Ethan; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was thrilled to be welcoming 3 more great-grandchildren at the beginning of 2021.

Arrangements are under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Linda’s favorite charity - Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org).

--o--

† EULA MAE HUNTER

Funeral services for Eula Mae Hunter, 75, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 24, at the Roscoe Cemetery with David Draper of Roscoe Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home. She passed away on September 1 in Willow Park, Texas.

Eula Mae was born in Roscoe to Harvid and Bertha Hunter. She grew up in Roscoe and graduated from Roscoe High School as valedictorian. Following high school, she attended some college before beginning her career in banking. She continued to live in Roscoe for many years while working in banking in Sweetwater before moving to Irving and later Coppell. Eula Mae remained in the area, where she continued a long career in banking. Eula Mae was loving and loyal. She was happiest spending time with her family, and she will be greatly missed.

Eula Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Harvid and Bertha Hunter; her brothers, Roy, Arnold, Archie, and Howard; and her sisters, Thelma and Audrey.

Eula Mae is survived by her sister, Sheila Sue Sanford, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

--o--

† AUDREY LOU HUNTER

A graveside service for Audrey Lou Hunter at 2:00pm Saturday, October 24, was held at the Roscoe Cemetery with David Draper of First Baptist Church Roscoe officiating and under the direction of McCoy Funeral Homes. A memorial service was held in Arlington on July 14, 2018. She passed away on July 2, 2018, in Irving.

Audrey was born in Roscoe to Harvid and Bertha Hunter. She grew up in Roscoe and later lived and worked in Sweetwater before moving to Dallas. She began working in accounting while going to college and later earned a bachelor’s degree. She moved to Irving and later to Coppell and remained in the area where she continued a long career in accounting. Audrey truly loved spending time with her family, and she is dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvid and Bertha Hunter; her brothers, Roy, Arnold, Archie, and Howard; and her sister, Thelma.

Audrey was survived at the time by her sister Eula Mae, who has since passed, and her sister, Sheila Sue Sanford, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

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