Sarah Gonzales Gray, age 84, of Somerset, TX passed away November 22, 2024 in San Antonio, TX with her son by her side. Sarah was born in San Antonio on July 22, 1940 to Madrid and Olivia (Colunga) Gonzales.
Sarah grew up and attended school in Somerset. In 1963 she married the love of her life, Robert Leroy Gray. Thanks to Bob’s Air Force career, Sarah, Bob and their son, Rodney were able to travel around the world and the United States. The small family lived in Japan, England, Michigan and of course Texas, eventually returning to Somerset.
Sarah, Bob and her sister, Susie, relished trips to Kickapoo, Coushatta and even Las Vegas to gamble. Making tamales at Christmas with Susie and Beatrice was another cherished activity. She loved working in the yard and cheering Rodney on in his various endeavors and later she especially loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Author: admin
Lula Wheatley
Lula Wheatley, of Natalia, Texas has passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 89.
She was born and raised in Oak Grove, Arkansas. Lula loved to cook, and proudly cared for and fed all those that came through her door. She loved to garden, and raised most of the vegetables that she lovingly served. She taught Sunday School in church and was the church secretary, and worked for Levi company as well.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Dolph and Thelma Marie High; son, Ricky Dean Wheatley; brother, Ferman High; sister, Frances Sooter; grandson, Jeremiah Wheatley, nephews, Denny High and his wife Kitty, and Randy High.
Lula is survived by her husband of 63 years, Johnnie Wheatley; son, Robert (Khataza); Daughter in law, Cathy Wheatley; granddaughters, LaDonna Hiatt (Michael), Hannah Wheatley, and Lenah Wheatley; grandsons, Kenny Walker (Sarahanne), James Wheatley (Cammie Ray); brother, Ronald High (Betty); great grandson, Brady; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
There will be services held at Harvest Assembly Church in Berryville, Arkansas at a later date.
Wreaths Across America
54 Veterans to be honored at Longview Cemetery on Dec. 14
There are 54 Longview Military burials that will have a wreath placement on December 14th (Wreath Across America ceremony) starting at 8:00 a.m.
Almae (Ornelas) Horvath helps with the wreaths as she has someone interred at Longview Cemetery and they have enough members (volunteers) to cover the 54 veterans.
Longview’s ceremony is separate from Devine’s.
Charles E. Bush Jr.
Harvey Hugh Dayton
Calvin Murphy
Edwin B. Story Jr.
W. Durward Story
Fredrick V. Williams
Paul Austin Winters
Edwin Ellis Kearton
Frank Raymond Danna
Ernie Wilkins
Jackson Bush
Jerry Allen Thomas
John Narramore
Ed (D.R.) Martin
Roy Lovejoy
Andres “Andrew” Morales
B.C. McDonald
Reynaldo “Ray” Morales
Jose “Joe” Ornelas
Filemon Ornelas
Rodrigo O. Delgado
Carlos Ornelas Jr.
James Whitt
William A. Boyd
Mateo De La Rosa Yanez
Thomas Peyton Nowlin III
Thomas Peyton Nowlin IV
Clovis “Happy” Peron
Haby B. Seay
Elmer L. Baab
Wallace Robert Medd
Ellis Bush
Daniel Caldwell
David Harrell
Everett A. Leach
Lester N. Long
Eldo Nixon
Jack D. Rice
Thomas L. Roche
Charles L. Ross
James C. Stroud
Thomas A. Winters
William Carvin Winters
William “Bill” Harris
Dudley Willard Peterson
Dathan Woodrow Brown
Leo Rodney Nixon
John M. Cude
W.A.A. “ Bigfoot” Wallace
Thomas W. White
Melvin Vaughan
N.W. Cude
George Henson Jr.
Richard Marion Tomlinson
If anyone wishes to donate to the Longview Cemetery Association in memory of a family member or friend who is interred at Longview: Address is PO Box 32 Bigfoot, TX 78005
Scout Me In!
Boy Scout Troop 72 offers free membership to the next 20 youths who join in 2024. This offer is for boys aged 11-17.
Adult volunteer membership is half-priced at $30 for the remainder of the year.
All are welcome to stop in at the regular meetings, which are held every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at VFW Post 3966, Devine.
For more information, contact Kenneth M. at 210-439-6327 or email devinetroop072@gmail.com.
Caitlin’s Christmas Lights to benefit Devine teen battling lukemia
2nd Annual “Caitlin’s Christmas Lights” Competition 2024
PRESS RELEASE–It’s hard to believe that it has been 2 years since we lost our beloved Cailtin Jaworowski to Cancer.
This town rallied behind Caitlin and the family while she was going through treatments. When we lost her, they continued to support the family in so many loving ways. So, in lieu of flowers it was decided that the kids needed to have a decorated yard for Christmas and so this is how it all began.
In memory of Caitlin, Justin Jaworowski and the family wanted to help other families in similar situations. This year’s recipient is Cheyenne Alexis (Lexy) Martinez, daughter of Roland and Kayla (Sellers) Martinez, of Devine. Cheyenne was diagnosed on September 13, 2024, with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. All proceeds collected from this fundraiser will go directly to Cheyenne, better known as Lexy!
Entry Forms & donations or just donations can be turned in at Country Gal’s Market located at 109 W Benton Ave, and The Devine News located at 216 S. Bright Street both located in Devine!
There’s something to be said about living in a small town. Small town yes, but full of people with big hearts. Thank you will never be enough!
ABOUT THE LIGHT CONTEST
The first place prize will be $500 gift card donated by Alamo Truck Accessories and the 2nd place prize will be $250 donated by Vail Photography.
To join the light contest, all you have to do is submit the entry form with any donation you want to make whether it’s $5 or $500.
Make sure your lights are on December 21 and 22nd when judging will occur. Who’s eligible? Homes and businesses in Devine, Natalia, Moore and surrounding areas. Please submit a photo of your lights with your entry if you live outside city limits.
Obituaries week of 11-20-24
Come out to Natalia’s 1st Annual Christmas Night parade
The Parade will begin at 7pm. It will start at FM 471 down to hwy 132 through Main Street.
If you would like to participate in the parade please contact Corina Sanchez 210-300-4800 or Lysette Clark 210-360-9071. For vendor information you can contact Lysette Clark 210-360-9071 or Mary Ann Garcia 210-560-5626. Vendors can set up as early as noon.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 5pm-9pm
Ms. Tiffany Brown will be the Grand Marshal. She is the daughter of Charlie & Dianna Brown, sister to Chuck Brown, mother to Cody Brown (Kaylin) and grandmother to Canon & Chad Brown
The Brown family have been a part of the Natalia community since 1911 as Tiffany’s great grandparents ran a commissary from 1911-1946 for the workers that built canals in town. In 1946, Tiffany’s grandparents bought the business and opened a store, everyone knows as “Browns Grocery Store.” In 1970, Tiffany’s parents bought the business and ran it until they retired in 2011.
All immediate family members of Ms. Tiffany have all graduated from Natalia. Her grandchildren are currently attending Natalia ISD.
Tiffany serves as a member of the Natalia School Board and the South Texas Heat Organization. She is highly involved in our community, as you will see her smiling face at sporting events and cheering for her grandsons.
“I love our little town and the people that live here. I’m proud to tell people where I am from and as proud as I am of the town and the people that live here, I hope I make them proud representing them. I’m proud to be a
Lytle’s Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride Dec. 14
Every year Lytle holds its Annual Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th at the Lytle Community Center. Santa arrives at the Community Center to turn on the lights at the Community Center and Main Street. After the lighting, Santa accompanies the children and their guardians on his hayride.
The 2024 Annual Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride will start loading trailers at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 19031 Priest Blvd., Lytle, Tx.
Admission is $1.00 or one canned good.
For information call 830-709-3692.
Please also join us at the Shops of Lytle at 15126 Main Street where we will have Santa’s Workshop with events for the kids to include an Ornament Workshop, the North Pole Post Office and Gingerbread Bakery.
The event is brought to you by the City of Lytle, Lytle Chamber of Commerce, Pena Family, Patriot Automotive, Lytle VFW Post 12041 and HEB Plus.
Help identify Veteran graves with WAA honors
Hospice… Where every dollar you spend goes to good cause!
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
This summer marked the end of another fiscal year for our local DEVINE AREA HEALTH AND HOSPICE RESOURCE, which helps so many in our community.
Everything the thrift store makes is donated back into a good cause, so remember them as you do your Christmas shopping and anytime you have gently used items to donate.
In the most recent fiscal year, Devine Hospice donated over $201,000 to area charities, scholarships, and people in need including $6,000 in scholarships, $10,000 to the Bigfoot VFD, $11,000 to St. Jude’s, $10,000 each to the Seton Home, Fischer House, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, and Texas Children’s Hospital, $8,000 to Mission Devine, and more.
In the past five fiscal years, they have raised an amazing $734,000+ for area charities, scholarships, and people in need.
Devine Area Health and Hospice Resource, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation.
Below are just a few of the goodies you might find there!
