Lawton Bomar, Ouida Gray and Staff Sgt. Kevin Henderson recently attended a ceremony dedicating the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker on N. Link Street near the post office Tuesday.
Bomar, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, and Gray, widow of a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, were honored during the brief ceremony, along with Henderson, a Palestine High School graduate currently serving in the U.S. Army.
The annual marker dedication was held by Dogwood Garden Club as part of the National Garden Clubs Inc.’s Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker program, which began in 1945.
Local to celebrate 90th birthday
Cleo Watts of Tennessee Colony will celebrate her 90th birthday with a come and go party for her friends and family from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Watts Farm on ACR 2502 at Tennessee Colony. No gifts please.
Watts was born Nov. 9, 1918 in Tyler County, the oldest of five children of Bob and Alma Belt. On Dec. 23, 1939 she married her high school sweetheart George Watts, after she completed cosmetology school and he graduated from Texas A&M; University. They then moved to the Fort Worth area.
In 1960 the Watts moved to Palestine and founded Watts Farm and Ranch Supply where she kept the books while raising her family. The family was active members of Southside Baptist Church.
Mrs. Watts was known for being a champion for the cause of mentally challenged children in Palestine.
The family later moved to Tennessee Colony and became active members of Friendship Baptist Church. When the original Trinity Valley Medical Center opened she became an active volunteer with the Sunshine Guild until recent years.
After raising their family she and George loved to travel and spend time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. George passed away in January 2004 shortly after they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Their eldest child Gerald (Jerry) passed away in July 2007.
Mrs. Watts is adored by her children, Fran Watts, Judy and husband Ronnie Rawls of Mesquite, Bill Watts and wife Linda of Tennessee Colony, John Watts of Tennessee Colony and Betsy Smith of Palestine, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She is cared for by her son John Watts and caregiver Frankie Lewis.
Five generation gathering
Cartmell Home resident Nelma Jeffus, 84, recently got together with five generations of her family — all of whom still reside in Palestine and Anderson County.
Included in the five generations are Jeffus’ daughter Sherry Cotton, granddaughter Diana Stuffers, great-grandson Dustin Quick and great-great-grandson Caden Quick, who is 3-months-old.
Mrs. Jeffus retired from Sears in the mid-1980s. She was married for 59 years to her sweetheart L. F. Jeffus who passed away in 2000.
Mrs. Jeffus has two sons, Brad Jeffus of Palestine and Frank Jeffus of Nashville, Tenn. She also has a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Columns
Related Photos
-
Lawton Bomar, left, Ouida Gray and Staff Sgt. Kevin Henderson pose in front of the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker on N. Link Street near the post office Tuesday afternoon during ceremonies dedicating the marker. BETH FOLEY
Discussion
Three honored at Blue Star Memorial Marker ceremony
Our Town
- Columns
-
-
Professional development promotes academic success
The words “In-Service Training” once sent shivers up my spine. Long ago, as a classroom teacher enduring hours of state mandated workshops delivered by monotone presenters and, later, as a principal attempting to schedule useful and at least somewhat less torturous training for my teachers, I always dreaded the notorious beginning of school “sit and get” week. What a difference there is in the professional development of recent years!
-
Fantastic Fridays: Educating the whole child
Each of you has most likely read the recent news articles published in the local paper about accountability ratings for areas school districts. I am proud of PISD’s rating and what the district has accomplished over the past two years, but as I read the articles, listened to other superintendents and principals discuss their academic ratings, I could not help but reflect on the true meaning of education. Webster defines education as instruction or training by which people learn to develop and use their mental, moral, and physical powers. Wow — what a statement!
- Three-minute Bible study: Humble and victorious
-
3-Minute Bible Study: The heart of the gospel
Rome was known for it's great road system. So Christians call five verses in the book Romans that lead us to salvation the "Roman Road". Today's Bible Study, Romans 5: 1 - 9, takes a look at the passage surrounding the middle verse of the Roman Road:
-
County extension report: Good news and bad news
I have very good news and very bad news.
Good news first! Two great programs are coming in early September to the Palestine area. -
PISD starts school year with more students
Another summer has come and gone and we are off to another great start in PISD. The 2010-2011 school year has welcomed the district with over 100 more students than last year at this time. We want to welcome those families and students who chose PISD as their new home and we are honored that you decided to attend PISD.
-
3-Minute Bible Study: Hope in times of trouble
One of my favorite scriptures for encouragement is Lamentations 3. Jeremiah wrote this about 600 years before Christ. Jerusalem had been overtaken by Babylon and the people had either been killed or taken as slaves. Jeremiah had been trying to warn the people, but they wouldn't listen.
-
8-22 Fantastic Fridays
We have made it through another summer and the beginning of school is upon us. I hope each of you had a restful and enjoyable summer with family and friends.
-
3-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY: Sharing basic truths about Christianity
I think we all need more of God's Word in our lives, but the challenge is finding the time. I'm planning to write a Bible study column that you can read in less than three minutes. I'll never be preachy or dogmatic, but will simply try to expose what is taught in the Scripture. We all have our different beliefs on spiritual issues, and I know I have mine, but as a journalist I vow to be as fair as possible.
-
Repent pride, sins and come before the cross of Jesus
If I remember all the Greek tragedies I had to read and study in college, it seems the main characters always had what was referred to as the “fatal flaw.”
- More Columns Headlines
-
Professional development promotes academic success
