Keep the Cheer Here
Keep the Cheer Here
Brownfield Power & Light employee Cody Jenkins enjoyed beautiful weather and comfortable temperatures Tuesday morning to begin the annual tradition of hanging the city’s Christmas decorations on light poles along major thoroughfares. The lighted decorations are a sign to residents each year that the holidays have arrived.
The Brownfield Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees met on Monday night with half the board present for the meeting. The board approved the minutes from their previous meeting before going into new business, discussing and taking any necessary action on the COVID vaccine mandate by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS.
The Texas Workforce Commission unemployment figures for October showed a slight drop. For October, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 5.4 percent, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from September 2021. Texas added 56,600 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, making gains in 17 of the last 18 months. Texas added a total of 661,300 jobs since October 2020. "Our labor market numbers continue to signal that Texas has jobs for those looking to take the next step in their career," said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. "TWC is committed to helping Texans and our businesses succeed, from pursuing roles in high-demand middle-skills fields to training and recruiting resources to make our state the best place to live and work." In October, the Professional and Business Services industry gained 21,900 jobs over the month. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 15,000 positions. Other Services, which include the repair and maintenance sector as well as membership associations and organizations, added 9,100 jobs. This month for Terry County, unemployment is 259, the civilian labor force is 4,651, and the employment is 4,392, a 5.6 percent rate of unemployment. "Opportunities in Texas continue to grow, and TWC is here to put all Texans on a path toward finding not just a job, but a career," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. "Whether you're looking for quality child care or training to advance in your profession, TWC has the resources to help." The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded October's lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3 percent, followed by the Austin-Round Rock MSA at 3.4 percent and College Station-Bryan at 3.7 percent. "The sustained job growth we are seeing shows that Texas continues to be THE place for business," said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. "TWC is here to support our Texas employers with programs for training, hiring, and recruiting to help their business thrive in the Lone Star State." In neighboring counties, the unemployment rate is 5.2 percent in Hockley, 3.6 percent in Lynn, 6.6 in Yoakum, and 4.0 percent in Gaines.
The Brownfield football program did not have the best start to its season, finishing the preseason 0-5, but the Cubs used a difficult preseason to finish district 3-2 in third place and qualify for the Class 3A playoffs. The Cubs faced Muleshoe in the bi-district round and came close to winning their first gold ball in seven years but fell short 21-17.
The defending Class 3A champions and Texas Girls Coaches Associations’ preseason No. 1 ranked Brownfield girls’ basketball team opened its season hosting the Estacado Lady Matadors (4-4). The Lady Cubs defeated the Lady Matador’s 65-29 in their first game. The Lady Cubs overcame the rust on the offensive end but showed the defensive awareness and strength that led them to a championship.
The Wellman-Union Wildcats and Lady Cats faced O’Donnell at home on Monday. The Lady Cats defeated the Lady Eagles, and the Wildcats took another loss. The Lady Cats dominated the first half. Lady Cat Mady Horton started the game off with a threepoint shot that opened Wellman up to score eight unanswered points—leaving the score at 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. Wellman did not let up and scored 17 points in the second to bring the score to 32-18 at halftime. The Lady Cats came back strong after the break and outscored O’Donnell 11-7, bringing the score to 43-25 at the end of the third quarter. O’Donnell pressed hard in the fourth quarter and put up 20 points to Wellman’s nine, but it was not enough to take away the win from the Lady Cats. Wellman Lady Cats took the win, 52-45. Kenzie Harp led the Lady Cats with 25 points, including two three-pointers, and was seven for eight at the line. Mady Horton followed by contributing ten points to the win, including two three-pointers. Next up for the Lady Cats is a road game on Tuesday against Lorenzo. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.
Wellman-Union struggled with turnovers throughout the game against O’Donnell.
Turkey With Herb Basting Sauce
Cornbread Dressing
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
A Memorial Service was held for Bobby Lee Brewer, 86, of Brownfield, at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Carter officiating. Bobby, beloved husband, father, brother, and grandpa was called to his eternal resting place on November 20, 2021. He entered this world on August 20, 1935, in Hale Center, TX, born to L.J. and Delores Brewer. He attended schools at Hale Center, Abernathy and Texas A&M. Bobby married Joyce Oson on August 22, 1966, and they had 34 years together before she passed away in October of 2000. He then married Carolyn Jo McKinzie on November 3, 2001, in Brownfield. After graduating, Bobby moved to Plainview and started working for Pioneer Natural Gas in 1961. He moved to Lubbock in 1972, and then to Brownfield in 1986. Bobby retired from Energas Co. on August 30, 1993. He worked in Plainview, Lubbock, and Brownfield. He has been active in the Optimist Clubs in those cities, as well as the Toastmasters, Boy Scouts, Boys Clubs, and served as a coach of Little League Football. Bobby was a member of the Builder’s Association, President of the Chamber of Commerce in Brownfield, and was involved in Industrial Development, FYI Club, and the Brownfield Manufacturing Co. Bobby was a former mayor of Brownfield and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Brewer; his parents; a grandson, Matthew McKinzie; four sisters, Nanny Lou Jarnigan, Mary Lou Brewer, Gwenith Purvis and Carol Johnson; and three brothers, Dwaine Brewer, Billy Brewer and Sammy Brewer. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Jo Brewer; daughter, Sylvia Brewer Boles (Mark); step-daughter, Brenda Hawkins (Daryl); step-son, Shane McKinzie (Kathy); seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Patricia Ann Montalbo left this life to be with her Lord on November 15, 2021. Patricia (“Pat”) was born on January 6, 1947, in Lubbock, Texas, to Fred Henry (a farmer) and Glena Ray (a homemaker) Turner. Growing up in Brownfield, Texas, she was baptized at the First Baptist Church, which she attended with her parents, sister Janey, and brother James. Pat began piano lessons at age six and later studied the organ and clarinet, as well. She played clarinet with the Brownfield High School band (winning state-wide and national honors), and she enjoyed working on the school paper and yearbook. Pat attended Texas Tech University, UT Austin, and UT Permian Basin – majoring in music education and pursuing extensive graduate work in music performance and musicology. She began teaching piano and other musical instruments at age 19. Over the decades that followed, Pat shared her gifts of music and teaching and hospitality with hundreds of students (from toddlers to adults) while living in Odessa, Amarillo, and for the past 26 years in Plano, TX. In addition to teaching, Pat played the organ for many churches – starting as a teenager in Brownfield. As much as she excelled in piano, the organ was her favorite instrument. She joyfully ministered through both playing pipe organs and directing adult and children’s choirs. Pat also delighted in playing harpsichord and recorder with baroque music performance ensembles, including the Permian Consort in Odessa and Marilla Musica in Amarillo; and she served as a participant and leader in the music teacher associations of Odessa, Amarillo, Plano, Frisco, and the state of Texas. Antiques and art were also a long-time passion of Pat’s; and, for several years, she operated an antique booth in Plano. Above all these endeavors, Pat was a devoted, loving, and cheerful wife to Gene and mother to Joanna – blessing them and her many beloved friends and family through her generous and caring nature, and her dry wit which brought laughter even in her final days of battling Parkinson’s. She is survived by: Gene Montalbo of Plano, Joanna (Gaasch) Smith and her husband Brooks of Dallas, and Janey (Turner) Bartley and her husband Thomas of Hemet, CA. Service is December 4, 11 a.m., at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat’s memory may be made to Dayspring Assisted Living in Plano (www.dayspringal.org) or Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, Texas (www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org).
Services for Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, 81, of Brownfield were held at 10 a.m. November 23, 2021 at Brownfield Funeral Home Chapel. Prayer service was held from 6-8 p.m. on November 22, 2021at Brownfield Funeral Home. Chuy passed away peacefully in his home on November 19, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones. Chuy was born to Cruz and Francisca Garcia on June 10, 1940 in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. On February 6, 1968 he married the love of his life, Socorro (Soco) Garcia. Together they had four children. Chuy loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed woodworking, painting and being outdoors. He loved boxing and making his friends and family laugh. Chuy is preceded in death by his parents, Cruz and Francisca Garcia; granddaughter, Victoria Lynn Leivas and a great grandson, Josiah Joel Garcia. Chuy is survived by his wife, Socorro Garcia; children, Jose Garcia and wife Irma of Plainview, Isabel Garcia of Brownfield, Maria Leivas and husband Thomas of Austin and Jesse Garcia Jr. of Austin; grandchildren, Danielle Garcia of San Antonio, Jeremiah and wife Adriana of Austin and Joshua and Elijah Garcia of Austin.
Joe Wayne Roper, 81, of Smyer, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 18, 2021. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, November 22, 2021, at the Meadow Cemetery with Rev. Chris Seaton officiating. Viewing will be held on Sunday, November 21, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Brownfield Funeral Home. The family will be available to receive guests from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.brownfieldfuneralhome.com. Joe was born on July 29, 1940 to Calvin Eugene and Melba Sammie (Thompson) Roper in Lubbock, TX. He grew up in New Home and graduated from New Home High School. He attended McMurry University, then transferred to Texas Tech and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. In his early 20’s, he met the first love of his life, Judith Helene Bramlet at a dance in Slaton. They were married in Clovis, NM and settled in Seminole where they raised their three children. Joe and Judith had 30 years together before she passed away in 1993. Joe was also blessed with a second love of his life, Kathy Taylor, and they had over 25 years together. Joe loved everyone! He was kind, generous, and very funny! His grandchildren knew him as “Granddaddy” and say he taught them that family comes first - but that family isn’t just limited to blood, but who you choose to love unconditionally. He showed his love through actions and accepted everyone with arms wide open! Joe started out as a farmer in Seminole until 1980 and then worked in the oil industry for two decades. In 2000, he began working for the Texas Tech University Range and Wildlife Department until his retirement. His hobbies included woodworking and a love of photography. He also had a small farming patch in New Home that he liked to tinker with. Mostly, though, Joe was known for his exceptional dancing skill. He and Kathy would visit the dance hall multiple times a week and their fluidity and grace on the dance floor was a joy to see! Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Judith; one sister, Bobbie June “Junie” Kreger; and two brothers-in-law, Glen Kreger and Bob Pritchett. He is survived by his three children, son, Jeffery Roper (Melissa) of Lubbock and daughters, Jennifer Bryan (Chris) of Kress and Judi Jo Roper Palmer of Burkburnett; beloved companion, Kathy Taylor; two sisters, Katherine Ann Higgins (Carlos) and Martha Pritchett; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews as well as Kathy’s extended family.
