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In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, joy can still be spread utilizing social distancing. Family, friends, and community members joined in unity to celebrate a very special community members’ birthday. After about a dozen drive-by birthday parades and parties in Brownfield, one family felt it was necessary to go the extra mile. Longtime Brownfield resident Bobbie (Bebe) Hicks turned 96 on Friday, April 24 and what a celebration it was as her family and friends celebrated her 96th birthday with a drive-by birthday parade and party.
Read moreCarol Ann Mirll was my mother. Her name was Carol Ann--two words. Not Carol, a half name floating in solitude; not two words bundled together as Carolyn; not even a hyphen, just: Carol. Ann. Carol Ann died April 18, 2020. It is possible that the coronavirus was the final straw, but it hardly deserves any credit. The real cause of death – was life; eighty-two years of family, 82 years of the same ups-and-downs which we all know, although complicated in Carol Ann’s last few decades by Parkinson’s. She lived the last year of her life in a nursing home. Mom was always thrilled to see me whenever I visited, but I was never certain whether she recognized me right away, or whether she was faking it. In the last few months she wouldn’t rise from bed; she would lie on her side facing the wall and sleepily ask me the same questions about family: Was I married? Did I have children? Family was always Carol Ann’s focus, as a child, as a young mother, as a fading octogenarian grandmother. Her father was Lon Howard, a Terry County cotton farmer, and my namesake; her mother was Oma Lee Brown. Carol Ann was born January 31, 1938 in Haskell, Texas. There were five Howard kids: My Uncle Glen, Carol Ann, Aunt Sherry, Aunt Janice and my Uncle Randy, who is hardly older than me. Only Sherry and Randy are still with us. Carol Ann married my father, Alvin Mirll in May, 1956. She gave birth to me (Lon), then my brother Terry who died too early two years ago. There are six Mirll granddaughters: Jennifer, Bryony and Caydance; they are mine; Jeanette, Teresa and Daphne; they are Terry’s. Carol Ann now has four great-grandsons: the twins Lennon and Harper, Gene, and recently, Peter Joseph. I recited these family facts to her many times. I would show her the pictures. I often brought the twins with me when I visited. Carol Ann was always amazed at her own life. There is a portrait of her, taken a month before her 18 th birthday. It was a Christmas present she gave to Alvin just a few months before she married him. She was beautiful. You can’t see it hidden behind her smile, but she had a fetching gap in her teeth like Lauren Hutton – or Madonna. I think of that picture often. I marvel that my elderly mother had ever been a mere 17. She was never sophisticated like Lauren Hutton. She was never worldly like Madonna. That 17 year old country girl had no idea how her life was going to turn out. And at 82, her memory was no clearer than her foresight had been at 17. But in the years between, she loved – unfailingly, even imperfectly, but without reservation. She loved my father and my brother and me; she loved her grandchildren; she loved my aunts, uncles and cousins; and she also enveloped the love of our family around other children, now as old as I, who also deserve remembrance, but whose names would pose a prohibitively long list. When she remembered nothing else, Carol Ann remembered she had loved those children. I suppose I shall have to remember her life for her. But gratefully, those children may remember with me. A memorial service is scheduled at Brownfield Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29.
Read moreJimmy Jack Martin of Lubbock passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the age of 69. He was born September 27, 1950 in Brownfield to the late Tyree Nathan, Sr. and Dorothy (Smith) Martin. He grew up in Ropes and in 1973, Jimmy moved to Lubbock where he worked in many different roles including a machinist, fabricator, commercial trailer mechanic, painter, aircraft mechanic, and ultimately working for Lockheed until his illness in ‘98. He married Melody Bennett on May 5, 1974 in Lubbock. Jimmy went to Wayland Baptist University. Due to his determination he overcame many physical issues and surprised the medical community. Boy, did he show them! The last few years have been rough and trying, but he kept his sense of humor to the end! Jimmy beat all odds. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 46 years, Melody; son, Patrick Martin and wife Sarah Martin of Lubbock; siblings, Doris Bradley and John Martin; two grandchildren, Isabella and Ann’belle. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Thomas Brown; daughter, Kelly Martin; brother, Tyree Martin, Jr. Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2020 at Combest Family Funeral Homes, where 10 people or less at a time will be allowed. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at Combest Family Memorial Chapel. Due to current restrictions, the family invites you to watch the livestream on the Combest Family Funeral Homes website. Graveside will follow at the Ropesville Cemetery.
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Former Wellman High School grad helps fight the COVID-19 virus with a chocolate factory. Mike Moss is the son of Bobby and Jackie Moss. Mike is a 1989 graduate of Wellman High School, before it was consolidated with Union. In 2012 Mike joined Sweet Shop USA out of Mt. Pleasant, as their company president, then in 2016 he took ownership of Sweet Shop USA chocolate factory. The chocolate company is almost 50 years old, and chocolate is really the only thing they do and they do it well.
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Another straight week of high unemployment claims in the US and oil prices are still at some of the lowest ever. On Thursday, April 23 the US Labor Dept. released the jobless claims number, another 4.4 million were received for the week ending April 18, bringing the current total jobless claims to 26 million or approximately eight percent of the US population.
Read moreGary B Nelson, passed away April 11, 2020 at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Gary was born December 26, 1950 in Foard County, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents O.B. and Shirley Nelson of Brownfield. He was survived by his son Zachary Nelson of Austin and a brother, Michael (Beth) Nelson of Richardson, and a sister, Janet (Jimmy) Goodwin of Ruidoso,NM. He also leaves behind two nieces and family and a nephew and family, and two great- nephews. He leaves behind a long term relationship as well as friends around the Lubbock and Levelland area. Gary graduated from Brownfield High in 1969 and attended Texas Tech. He had several businesses in the oil industry and later enjoyed working for Billy Sims RV/ Camping World. He took great pride meeting his customers and matching them up with the best RV for their journeys. Nelson was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to play golf and going fishing. Yet his greatest hobby was reading southwest history and historical novels. The family asked any donation be made to an animal shelter of your choice.
Read moreInterest in at-home vegetable gardening increased significantly due to uncertainty created by COVID-19, and seed suppliers and retailers are seeing skyrocketing demand. But will high demand translate into widespread seed shortages?
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