By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com The citizens of Hooks can call themselves a little safer as the Hooks Volunteer Fire Department has recently put a brand new fire truck into service and it is already being used to serve the people in the community. Before making its journey to its new forever home in Hooks, the new truck was displayed by the company who built it for thousands to see the innovative truck design. Hooks VFD Engine 1 was officially put into service on the morning of July 23 and has already seen active duty on a structure fire within the city. This past weekend Engine 1 had its first official showing in the community as firefighters Michael Price and Melanie Tucker took it out to be a part of the Operation Christmas Car Show hosted by Myrtle Springs Baptist Church where it won Top 30 in the 1980 & Newer category. The Hooks VFD and Fire Chief Brandon Whitehurst have noted that the new engine represents a major investment in the safety of Hooks citizens and its firefighters. Engine 1 came to the city at a cost of $478,000 with approximately $400,000 of that total coming through grant funds, most notably from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The department notes that it was this grant funding and the support of everyone who contributed to this project from planning to delivery that made it possible to put Engine 1 into service. Engine 1 will enhance the department’s ability to protect lives and property for many years to come, providing improved reliability, capability, and safety for both the community and the firefighters who serve it. The department calls Engine 1 a major step forward. It will help improve firefighter safety, strengthen their emergency response, and better prepare the department to serve Hooks and the surrounding area for years to come. At the Monday, August 17 meeting of the Hooks City Council, city leaders lauded the efforts of Chief Whitehurst and his department and presented the Fire Chief with a plaque acknowledging not only the efforts he put into obtaining the new fire truck, but his strong leadership of the department since 2019. The city leaders noted that over the course of his tenure as Hooks Fire Chief Whitehurst has been instrumental in the city and department receiving close to $1 Million in grant funds. Chief Whitehurst said of the accolades, “I could not have done this alone. It took the efforts and backing of both my family, the guys at the firehouse and the city to make all of this happen. It has definitely been a team effort.” In other business at Monday’s council meeting, city leaders heard from four different individuals during the public forum with each person taking their time to talk about the dangers of bringing an AI data center into the city. The city leaders also took action in executive session to suspend current Police Chief Johnny Millwood.

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com The congregation of DeKalb United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor and his family recently with Markley Rogers being appointed to lead the local church officially on July 1. Rogers was born and raised in Nederland, Texas and after high school attended the University of Houston, where he pursued a degree in Political Philosophy from the Honors College. In addition to his studies at U of H, he co-founded COOG Radio, the university’s student-led radio station, served as Director of Governmental Relations for the Student Government Association, and led the university’s Model Arab League. Upon receiving his B.A., he worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs as a quality analyst and moved in with his brother, a teacher in Pasadena, Texas. It was there with his brother that he found a home at Clear Lake UMC in Houston. It was in 2016, after attending a Walk to Emmaus that Rogers heard his call from God into ministry, and that call soon led him to be the Youth Director at Clear Lake UMC. Rogers then continued his path in ministry by earning his local pastor license and was appointed the Associate Pastor at Clear Lake UMC in 2021. With all of that behind, Rogers is far from being done as he is currently a student at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he is scheduled to graduate next Spring. Rogers is expected to be commissioned as an Elder at the Texas Annual Conference in 2027. Of his appointment to lead the congregation at DeKalb UMC, Rogers says as a new resident of the city he wants to participate in the life of the town and become involved in community activities. He notes, “My dream is that DeKalb United Methodist Church be a congregation that shows the love of Christ and be a place where people can come and be loved.” Rogers calls Micah 6:8 his favorite verse in the Bible. That verse reads, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God. In that vein, Rogers stated that he did not come to DeKalb to make any huge changes, but rather to listen to his congregation and be a part of their vision. He says, “The thing about the UMC is that we don’t make decisions unilaterally. I will pitch ideas to them and we go from there. I don’t want to do anything radical but just be here to serve the congregation with the ministries we have to best serve the community. “ Rogers comes to serve DeKalb with his wife Michelle that he met at Clear Lake UMC. The couple were married in 2022 and were blessed with a daughter, Evette, in 2024.

By Rylee Freeman Bowie County is blessed with several businesses that provide reputable and safe products that nourish the body. When buying local, you are supporting one’s livelihood and their family, while they pour back into the community and support you as well. With the recent cyclospora outbreak from lettuce, it is important to be informed on where your food and goods come from and how they are made. Buying local ensures just that. Paige Howard at Howard House Farm in Malta, alongside her husband and children, is in the first year of offering goods to the public, with the goal of benefiting the community. Using her educational background in biology and plant ecology and her husband’s background in cattle operations, Howard brings a wealth of knowledge to the world of produce. Howard said that the average piece of produce has to travel over 1,000 miles to make it to one’s plate. Each stop that delivery trucks make increases the risk of contamination or the spread of disease. Additionally, eggs can sit refrigerated in a storage facility for 60 days before reaching the grocery store. Howard shared a few tactics to ensure the products she sells to the community are the highest quality, including a pH meter to ensure correct levels when canning, practicing safe food-handling methods and meeting specific labeling requirements. Everything sold in store at Howard House Farm comes straight off the vine, with precautions taken to avoid contaminants being introduced to fruits and vegetables. Bonne Copeland, owner and operator of The Classy Nanny in Avery, specializes in all-natural goat and tallow soap. Copeland gets the tallow from local producers in the area and renders it herself with no additives or deodorizers. The goat milk comes directly from her goats. The soap also includes coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil. Copeland raises an important question that people may not think of when browsing the grocery store to pick up products. “If you go to the store, whether you buy bar soap or liquid soap, can you pronounce those ingredients?” Copeland said. In-store soaps could contain endocrine or hormone disruptors, whereas the goat milk itself is naturally anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial, alongside being rich, moisturizing and skin soothing. Copeland said she has seen customer experience improvement and benefits in skin, eczema, psoriasis, dryness, redness and moisturization. Copeland takes the health of her goats very seriously, ensuring they are kept in a clean environment, vaccinating them, avoiding chemical dewormers and keeping their care as natural and holistic as possible. The goat milk is filtered and chilled immediately, leaving little to no time for bacteria to grow. Bobbi Butcher at BLB Farms in DeKalb started her produce journey in 2010 as a hobby, but it has grown tremendously over time. Butcher says that when shopping at the grocery store, customers lose the ability to ask questions and receive information about the produce they are buying. It is no secret that we are living in a world of convenience. At times, it can feel much easier to grab what you need at the store, rather than buying local. BLB Farms provides a unique service that accommodates this way of life. Butcher started a delivery service for her veteran and elderly customers but has now expanded it to all customers. She values meeting customers’ needs and going the extra mile to make things more convenient for them - something that would not typically be found at a grocery store. Butcher does not spray any of the farm’s crops, keeping everything as fresh, clean and natural as it can be. As for how quickly produce typically goes from farm to customer, Butcher shared that once she picks it, it will more than likely be gone within a day, whereas produce in a grocery store can sit for weeks, sometimes months. Through yearly classes, Butcher strives to inform the community and provide enjoyable ways to learn about a healthier lifestyle. This year, she taught peach canning, pickle, jam and jelly classes. “You get a whole community, a relationship with somebody that you never expected to be friends with, so it just causes a whole chain reaction when you shop local,” Butcher said. A common theme among every farm in the community is the importance of where your dollar goes when shopping locally. These local producers pour hours of hard work and time away from their families into creating and preparing the products they sell. “But time and time again, it’s been shown that if you spend that dollar locally, most of that dollar is going to stay local,” Howard said. When spending that extra dollar, you are supporting someone who truly supports you, while also getting the opportunity to learn and experience a healthier way of life. As the trend to live healthier and shop local continues, west Bowie County is blessed to have so many of these local producers and growers call our area home. Look around your neighborhood for one close to you and support your neighbors as they give us all more options for a more healthy, natural lifestyle.

Telford staff, inmates and families blessed for more than two decades By Kenny Mitchell “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” Those words, found in Psalms 40:5, are the words that guide Telford Prison Ministries and its leader and heart, Edna Walker. Telford Prison Ministries has been serving the prison and both the inmates housed there and the staff for more than two decades, with a variety of ministries to answer the needs of all involved. Walker speaks of her early days at the ministry with the opening of the Samaritan House in May of 2003. The Samaritan House was the ministry’s first place where those visiting a loved one in the prison could stay overnight instead of having to stay at a hotel. It was located in old government housing and became a home away from home for countless families over the years. In March of 2016, the ministry saw the opening of its new overnight facility, known as Haven of Hope. Walker says that Haven of Hope is operated much like a Motel 6, with rooms for those coming into New Boston to visit their loved ones housed at Telford. The facility includes a common area where visitors are able to enjoy a continental breakfast on weekend mornings. In May of 2024, the ministry added a family room to enhance the stay of families that use the facility. One of the biggest additions to Telford Prison Ministries came in August of 2005, when they opened their visitation center at the entrance of the prison. Walker says that the visitation center has become a place where the families of inmates have found a place for someone to listen and talk to where they have the ear of someone who isn’t judgmental about the reason for their visit to Telford. The visitation center has become a priceless witnessing tool for the ministry as it is a place where the can hand out Bibles of all kinds, for adults and children alike, and even those in Spanish for the many visitors who can’t speak English. The VC is also one of the premier places where children can be ministered to, as Walker and others hand out not just Bibles, but candy, school supplies, backpacks and goody bags. The ministry has given out school supplies for 875 children, including allowing them to pick from a wide variety of backpacks, with the most sought after pack this year coming with a Bluey theme. Children love the goody bags they get on a visit, commonly known as “love packs” that ziplock bags filled with candy, crackers, a drink and a Gospel tract. Children of inmates have also been blessed with Christmas gifts each year, with the most common now being gift cards, so they can buy what they want when they return home from their visit. Telford Prison Ministries also host many special events throughout the year including Day with Dads, where kids get to spend a “normal” day with their dad, while enjoying pizza, chips and snacks. The day also brings the opportunity for many to have a catch or enjoy a game of basketball with their dad, something that many would never get to experience otherwise. Other special events include Day With Moms, Family Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas, with each special day involving a chance for families to enjoy a meal and time to visit outside of the normal visitation room insider the prison walls. Walker and her many volunteers also host special events for prison staff including a special buffet meal at Christmas, a lunch during officer appreciation week, and a benevolence ministry that sends flowers and whatever else might be needed for prison officers and staff who have experienced the loss of a loved one. They also hand out over 3,000 bags of candy to prison inmates every year at Christmas. One of the more recent outreaches for the ministry has seen them go into the hospice ward of the prison and offer solace to those who spend their days in a windowless building while dealing with a terminal illness. As many as 91 inmates have been visited on a single visit to the hospice building. The hospice outreach began last September and Walker states that local pastor Robert Little will go into the building and sing Happy Birthday and bring cake on appropriate days, with many of the inmates noting that they had not enjoyed cake for as long as 30 years. One inmate told Walker that he saved the paper plates used for the cake because it was the only thing they had that was added any color to their life. Walker began only buying the colorful paper plates following that conversation. Walker says her reason for doing all that she does is relatively simple. “I have always been mission minded. After I went through one of the worst things in my life when my husband divorced me, I took an Experiencing God class in church. Prison ministry kept coming up and then I went on a mission trip in 1999, and the Lord told me that this is what he wanted me to do full time. I couldn’t even speak so I just walked out of the motel room and kept walking until I ended up in a cornfield. I asked God for a sign, a neon sign, and millions of fireflies flew up into the sky in that cornfield. That was my neon sign.” Walker was working in full-time prison ministry in Huntsville when local New Boston pastor Ken Cox asked if she would come and help him get something started. Cox says of Walker, “She truly loves the people who come and stay with us at Haven of Hope. She becomes friends with them, and they will call her when they aren’t visiting. She becomes family with them. Edna works with her heart. You cannot find someone like her. She is called to what she does. She loves those inmates and they really love her. That is a special quality of her that only God can give.”

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com Photo cutline: Left to right, Holly Meade, Cass County Veterans Services Officer, Gary Foster, Cass County Veterans Services Officer, Andy Cockrum, Cass County Veterans Services Officer, Mike Carter, Bowie County Commissioner, Leward Lafleur, Marion County Judge, Shawn Deabay, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission. Bowie County now has access to a portion of $800,000 in funding to come to the assistance of local veterans, thanks to a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission. Bowie County Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike Carter was on hand to take part in a ceremony awarding the funds to the partnership between Bowie, Cass, Marion and Morris County that will give Bowie County a first of its kind method to help the very large veteran community in our county. The $800,000 received is part of a $40.8 million initiative across the State of Texas announced earlier this year by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission. Those millions will go to support 190 grants to 160 organizations across the state. The grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and local government agencies throughout the state that provide direct services to veterans and their families. More than 125,000 veterans and their families are projected to benefit from the funding. The grant funds are made available not just to individual veterans, but also to spouses and dependent children. Half of the grant funds will be used for home assistance such as remodeling, wheelchair ramps and any other work on a home needed to make it more efficient and livable. The other half of the grant funds will be go towards helping veterans with everyday living expenses like utility bills and house payments. Funds will be available to pay as much as six months of house payments if a veteran’s family is in need of that assistance. Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike Carter told the West Bowie Post on Friday, “I traveled to Lufkin, Texas yesterday along with Veteran Service Officers from Cass County and Judge Lafleur from Marion County to officially receive a grant for veterans. Thanks to Cass County Judge Travis Ransom for putting the grant together to cover Bowie, Cass, Morris and Marion Counties.” The grant funds will be overseen through the Cass County Veterans Services office, which already has the staff, and an inspector when needed for home repairs. These grant funds are made available from the state through the sales of a $2 ticket sold through the Texas Lottery Commission. Donations towards the grant funds can also be made by any individual while registering their vehicles or when getting a hunting or fishing license. For more information, you can call Precinct 4 Commissioner Make Carter at 903.628.2278 the Cass County office at 903-756-5221 or you can contact Veterans Services Officer Gary Foster via email at vso@casscountytx.org For more information on the statewide program, you can visit their website found at www.tvc.texas.gov

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com The DeKalb City Council met last night for its regular monthly meeting with a short agenda that included possible action on initializing a burn ban in the city limits and a possible tax increase. During the public forum portion of the meeting, the council was addressed by local residents Marjorie Roberts and Terry Bray. Roberts discussed concerns with ballot tampering during the city election held back in May of this year, and Bray voiced thanks to the city and its public works department for addressing her concerns and making needed repairs to Martin Luther King Boulevard. In regard to the burn ban, the council was informed by Mayor Lowell Walker that he had spoken with county officials and was told that they were likely to initiate a county wide burn ban in the next 10 days. The council voted unanimously to table the action to a later date. On the tax increase, Mayor Walker informed the council members that there were three options, with one including a nominal three cent increase. Walker told those gathered at City Hall that he believed a small increase was necessary for several reasons. The mayor also noted the possibility that the next session of the Texas Legislature could result in legislation that would do away with property tax revenues that the city depends on to operate. Finally, Mayor Walker noted that the increase would help cover a possible $30,000 expenditure for necessary software and additional city staff to address over 100 Freedom of Information Act requests filed by local residents, including Roberts that spoke in public forum. Walker explained to the West Bowie Post that the inundation of FOI requests require a considerable amount of time to answer, and the current city staff has been severely burdened by the constant influx of requests. Mayor Walker also informed the council and those present that he has requested a criminal investigator to address the allegations brought by Marjorie Roberts. Walker has had communications with someone at the Bowie County District Attorney’s Office in regard to those allegations which include several accusations of election tampering in reference to the city elections in May of this year. Roberts is on record saying that she was told that ballots from the recent election were destroyed only days after voting, and if that is accurate the action contradicts state retention requirements. She has asked the city questions such as when the ballots were destroyed, who authorized the destruction and why were retention laws not followed. During Roberts comments in public forum, Mayor Walker called DeKalb Police Chief Phelps to the front and instructed him to contact the county investigator in reference to her allegations of election fraud, and told Roberts that she could take her allegations before a Bowie County grand jury. Mayor Walker stated, “The integrity of our elections are sacrosanct. We take these allegations seriously.” The council voted unanimously to move towards a slight tax increase that would see the tax rate return close to what the rate was in 2023. The action requires the city to hold a public hearing before the rate is adopted. **Publisher’s Note The previously published article on the August 11,2026 meeting of the DeKalb City Council has been amended. During the course of the meeting Tuesday night, the council was informed that sales tax revenue for the City of DeKalb was down for 2026. Upon verification with the State Comptroller’s office, those statements have been proven to be inaccurate. Our coverage of the meeting reflects the statements said on record in the meeting, but we have amended the story removing the statements concerning the decrease in sales tax revenue.

Built his own way……John David Wilsford was born August 6, 1971. He passed away at his childhood home, leaving behind a family who loved him dearly, tolerated him bravely, and will miss him more than he ever would have admitted out loud. He was preceded in death by his father, David, who entered heaven, grabbed a recliner with a footrest, and is now saying, “I saved you a spot, but don’t make me get up.” He was a man whose hands shaped wood, stone, and sand into beauty. He was born with an artist’s eye and a craftsman’s patience. His spirit was shaped by the open air, the lake, and the thrill of the ride. He loved spending time at the lake water skiing in his early years and in later years making memories with family and friends. He lived for the freedom of motorcycles and embraced every ride with the same passion he brought to his craft. He lived life with the stubborn grit of a man powered by equal parts of “know-it-all” confidence, perfectionist precision, short patience, and a quick temper that flared fast, but faded just as quickly. John David wasn’t always easy, but he was always real and that was part of his charm. John David leaves behind his son, Ty, who inherited his grit and ability to fix absolutely anything except his dad’s patience. He leaves his mother, Sylvia, who knew him best and somehow loved him with all his rough edges. He leaves his sister Melissa Farris and her husband Lee, and his sister Natalie Tanner and her husband Neil. His sisters equally adored, tolerated, and occasionally needed a breather after one of their “discussions”. He leaves his niece, Meredith, and nephew, Lee Willy, who adored him for the fun he brought to their lives. The great nieces and nephews were all smiles and laughter in his presence. He leaves behind his wife and the love of his life, Tiffani and her daughters, Taylor and Abby. She loved him through every project and every ride. She cared for him through cancer, with patience and love, even when he met her kindness with his trademark stubbornness! He loved being “JG” to their grandkids. He even leaves behind Diesel, the grand dog, the only family member who never argued with him and always thought he was perfect. Family and friends will forever remember his signature hand signal--that easy, open-handed “hang loose” gesture that meant love you, we’re good, take it easy, and now means “I’m still here” in memory. A celebration of life is planned for a later date. Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Clara Reece Duke Inman, 91, of New Boston, Texas passed away Friday, July 31, 2026, in a local hospital. Mrs. Inman was born April 10, 1935, in Malta, Texas to Earl and Essie Duke. She was a member of the Church of Christ, New Boston, retired from Red River Army Depot where she worked in Inventory and is preceded in death by her parents, Husband, John Inman, brothers, Bobby Duke, Charles Duke and Billy Duke. Clara is survived by two sons and a daughter in law, Miles and Karen Inman, Scott Inman, grandchildren Tanner Inman, Step grandchildren, Quittney Williams, Justin and Brandy Harkins, step great grandchildren, Jenna and Cheyne Brown, Hanna Smith, Holly Harkins, Rowdy Williams and Tarron Rudin, step great-great granddaughter, Lynnde Brown and numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at the Church of Christ, New Boston with Bro. Kevin Cauley officiating. Interment will follow in Woodstock Cemetery, New Boston under the direction of Bates Rolf Funeral Home, New Boston, Texas. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M, Monday, August 3, 2026, at the funeral home.

Howell Kent Nicholas, age 81, of Avery, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2026, in Clarksville, Texas. He was born on September 24, 1944, in Deport, Texas, to Gerald and Eulene Singleton Nicholas. In June 2005, he married Judy Glenn Ashley, and together they shared many happy years. Kent was a skilled carpenter whose craftsmanship and strong work ethic earned him the respect of those who worked alongside him. He worked for H.E. Wright, Gibbs Construction Company, where he dedicated many years to the construction industry. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Avery, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Eulene Singleton Nicholas, and one sister, Diane. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved “better than half,” Judy Ashley Nicholas of Avery, Texas; his children, Teresa of Redfield, Arkansas, Terry of Avery, Texas, Tracey and his wife, Erin, of Payneville, Kentucky, Christopher and his wife Tiffany, Tammy, Madonna, Sallie, and Daniella; his sister, Janice Young and her husband, Gary, of Arlington, Texas; and his brother, Randy Nicholas and his wife, Cindi, of Mansfield, Texas. He also leaves behind 13 cherished grandchildren: Angelica, Jamie, Mikey, Kayla, Kristin, Meghan, Ryan, Wayne, Adaline, Bree, Naci, Stephen, and Justin; and 16 beloved great-grandchildren: Lillian, Michael, Makenna, Kenzi, Jaidyn, Leroy, Braxton, Wrenly, Ryker, Renli, Alina, Luke, Lina, Clarie, Gavin, and Coleman. Kent will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country, and the pride he took in his work. His quiet strength, kind heart, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Cremation is under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Billy DeWayne Tutt, age 35, of New Boston, Texas, passed away in Texarkana, Arkansas. Billy was born on July 31, 1990. Billy was preceded in death by his father, W.L. Tutt Jr.; his grandfather, W.L. Tutt Sr.; his grandmother, Sue Barrett; his great-grandparents, Billy and Jean Goodwin, Tom and Lucille Totty, and William and Della Tutt. He is survived by his loving mother, Dana Totty-Eubanks, and stepfather, Troy Eubanks; his brother, Bryan Eubanks; and his sister, Reagan Eubanks. He is also survived by his grandparents, Harrell and Barbara Totty, Gary and Jo Eubanks, and Linda Tutt. Billy leaves behind many beloved aunts and uncles, including Justin and Sandy Totty, Cary and Kathy Eubanks, Starlyn and Keith Carter, Tiffany and Steve Annis, Donna Jolly, Brenda and Greg Harmon, and Carolyn and Jerry Lorance. He is also survived by numerous great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends. Billy was especially blessed with a close family of friends at The Gardens in Texarkana, Arkansas, whose love, friendship, and unwavering support meant so much to him. Billy was a simple man who never asked for much in life. Though he left this world far too soon, he will forever be remembered with love by those who truly knew him. He had a servant’s heart and found great joy in helping others, often putting their needs before his own. He loved making crafts and drawings, not to keep for himself, but to give away simply to brighten someone’s day. While Billy wasn’t always eager to participate, once he joined in, he was often the one to beat. He wasn’t known for giving many hugs, but when he did, they were the kind that stayed with you. He had a remarkable way of finding solutions when others believed something couldn’t be done. Though naturally quiet and content with solitude, Billy made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know the gentle, kind, and determined person he was. Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we take comfort in the memories he leaves behind and in the lives he touched through his quiet acts of kindness, generosity, and love. As the saying goes: “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, and then we return home.” Billy has now returned home. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will remain forever in the hearts of those who loved him. A memorial service to honor Billy will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, with Pastor James Sparks officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the same day at Bates Family Funeral Home. Cremation is under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home.

Cheryl Annette McBay Joyce, 66, passed away peacefully at her home in De Kalb, Texas, on July 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Cheryl was born on April 7, 1960, in Killeen, Texas, to Charles Holland McBay and Francis Imogene Greene McBay. She retired after a career as an insurance adjuster. Above all else, Cheryl cherished her family. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She created lasting memories with those she loved most and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Francis McBay, and by her husband, Thomas Joseph Joyce. She is survived by her daughters, Brandy and Ryan, Amber and Joshua Hickson, Tiffany and Abraham Labrada, and Ashlie Chamlee; her sister, Cynthia Johnson; her brother, Charles Ashley McBay; a slew of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and dear friends. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas. Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com Another opportunity for the youth of our area to take to the field of sports has come in the form of the New Boston Soccer Club. The faith based, soccer league is coming to New Boston through Tapp Methodist Church with the goal of building some core traits among the players and coaches that participate. Those goals include developing confidence and building self-esteem while forming friendships that last a lifetime. Along with those goals comes helping the young players grow in their faith and develop strong values, all the while having fun in a safe and encouraging environment. The league organizers are investing in the youth of the community all in the effort towards creating tomorrow’s leaders by instilling character and leadership skills into the league’s players, and by fostering a sense of community for young and old alike. The league has teams for boys and girls ages 3 to 14, with a mission to build a Christ-centered soccer environment for every player, parent, and coach across Northeast Texas. League play is set to run each Saturday from September 12 through November 14 with games to be played at Tapp Methodist. The league is partnering with Miracle Legends Soccer, so there will be soccer fun and action for everyone in the community. Tapp Methodist pastor Chase Bradfield told the West Bowie Post, “We are excited to announce the arrival of soccer in New Boston, Texas. What was formerly known as the Youth Soccer League of New Boston has been refreshed and renamed as New Boston Soccer Club, ushering in an exciting new soccer era into Western Bowie County. Partnering with Tapp Methodist Church, the league is eager to engage with the community to provide a faith-based soccer program within a Christ-centered environment. In July, we saw a glimpse of a what a high-quality soccer program can do for the city of New Boston when Tapp Methodist hosted a soccer camp, fully equipped with British soccer coaches and a diverse group of kids eager to have some summer fun.” There is still plenty of time to register for the league ahead of the September 12th start date. Please visit us on Facebook under “New Boston Soccer Club” to stay connected and receive updates. For more information on this exciting new outlet for youth sports, you can email Bradfield at chase@tappmethodistchurch.org