Earth Felt The Wound

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Ihab Muhanna, 55

Died January 3, 2021.

Brighter Horizons Academy, Garland, TX

Security Guard

Local news:

A North Texas police department is mourning the loss of a beloved school security guard, deeply involved in building a strong relationship between police and the Muslim community.

Despite being a healthy, former bodybuilder, Ihab Muhanna was hit hard by COVID-19.

“He fainted for a bit and had trouble breathing. That’s why we hospitalized him on Thursday,” said son Tariq Muhanna.

The 55-year-old was placed on a ventilator.

His condition improved but then suddenly worsened late Saturday, into Sunday morning.

His wife and four young sons were unable to say goodbye.

“He went into cardiac arrest,” said Tariq. “His heart was really weak and stressed.”

Muhanna’s funeral was held Monday. Friends and family gathered and shared stories his son had never heard before.

He is being remembered for his service to others.

Muhanna was an armed security guard at a private school in North Garland.

“He was the first one there and the last one to leave, made sure the school was properly protected,” he said.

Muhanna also graduated from Garland’s Citizen Police Academy, Class 47.

“Ihab. He was family to us,” said Lt. Pedro Barineau of the Garland Police Department.

The department shared their grief and Muhanna’s impact in a Facebook post.

“[Muhanna] raised money so that our honor guard officers could have new uniforms,” said Barineau. “He also raised money for our bike unit so they can have new bikes when they’re out patrolling the streets.”

The Palestinian immigrant was instrumental, Barineau said, in building strong community bonds.

“He was an integral part of our relationship with the Muslim community,” he said. “He would continuously ask us: What is it that you guys need and how can we help as the Muslim community?”

Tariq is urging vigilance for anyone who contracts the virus that has claimed the lives of nearly 28,000 Texans.

“Don’t overlook the signs,” he said. “Even mild coughs. Just please take it seriously.”

The family has a GoFundMe account. Click here if you would like to contribute.

Cathy Falkner, 47

Died January 7, 2021.

Ellison High School, Killeen, TX

Science

Local news:

A Killeen Independent School District high school teacher has died from complications with the coronavirus, officials said Friday.

Cathy Falkner, 47, a science teacher at Ellison High School, died Thursday night, Killeen ISD officials said.

David Dominguez, the principal of Ellison, released a statement Friday to parents and students.

“We are heartbroken this morning to hear that Ms. Falkner has passed away as a result of complications from COVID-19,” Dominguez said.

He added that a long term substitute has been scheduled to teach Falkner’s classes.

Falkner was last on campus Nov. 20, before the Thanksgiving break and was hospitalized for COVID-19 in December, according to the district.

“The students and staff of Ellison High school will remember the positive impact she made on their lives during the three years she was on campus. Despite the illness, Ms. Falkner’s main concern was for her students and their continued success in her class. Her dedication educating students will be greatly missed,” according to a statement from KISD. “We offer our condolences and prayers to her family during this difficult time. Support services have been made available for grieving students and staff.”

Rick Beaule, the president of the Killeen Educators Association, issued a statement in response to the news on the KEA Facebook page.

“There have been those who question why we continue to advocate for the safety of educators in Killeen ISD when it seems like there is no hope,” the statement said. “Though not a member, Killeen Educators Association mourns the passing of an Ellison High School teacher from COVID-19. May the light they shined on their students continue to light our paths as we remember their legacy.”

There have been 1,056 positive cases of the coronavirus among both students and staff within the Killeen Independent School District since March as of Friday.

At the elementary level, 201 students and 291 staff have tested positive. At KISD middle schools, 108 students and 101 staff have tested positive, and 162 students and 113 staff have tested positive at high schools, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard, https://www.killeenisd.org/dashboard. A total of 80 staff members have tested positive at KISD’s non-campus buildings.

Charles Ragland, 74

Died January 13, 2021.

Bedford County Public Schools, Bedford, VA

Bus Driver

Obituary:

Charles Douglas Ragland, Sr., 74, of Bedford passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born in Nelson County on July 8, 1946. A son of the late Otha Morris Ragland and Daisy Beatrice Ragland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin Ragland; sister Minnie Ragland; sister-in-law, Carla Ragland.

Charles was a Blessed man. A husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to so many. He loved going to yard sales and finding treasures to repurpose or work on. His love for clocks new and old was very evident. He also loved spending time with family, friends and loved children, especially giving them lollipops when seeing them. He was loved by so many and will be missed dearly.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, JoAnn C. Ragland; son, Charles Douglas Ragland, Jr. and wife, Debbie; daughters, Anna Marie Jennings and husband, James, Charlotte “Bea” Millner and husband, Mike and Stacy Nicole Pound and husband, Matt; step-daughter, Joyce Katherine Martinez and husband, Marcello; step-son, Anthony Wayne Chaconas; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Prentice Ragland and wife, Nancy, Otha Ragland and wife, Leanna and Earl Ragland; sisters, Nancy Grant and husband D.C., Helen Bryant, Betty Parrish, Fleta Staton, Carol Staton, and Barbara Sowell and husband, Gary. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Charles’s memory please consider The Alzheimer’s association of Lynchburg.

A celebration of Charles’s life and Graveside service will be conducted at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Peaks Church and Community Cemetery with his brother Pastor Earl Ragland Larry Myers officiating. To send condolences online please visit tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.

Tim Lester, 52

Died January 12, 2021.

Fellowship Christian School, Roswell, GA

Football Coach

News:

Former NFL fullback Tim Lester has died of complications from Covid-19. He was 52.

The City of Milton, Georgia, announced Lester’s death and said he passed away on Tuesday.

Lester played eight NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1992-94), Pittsburgh Steelers (1995-98) and Dallas Cowboys (1999).

“I have known Tim for many years and always thought the world of him,” Milton mayor Joe Lockwood said on the city’s Facebook page. “He was sincere and passionate about helping people and making the world a better place, including here in Milton.”

Lester gained notoriety in his NFL career as the ‘Bus Driver’, when he blocked for Steelers star Jerome Bettis, who was nicknamed ‘The Bus’. Bettis had a career-best rushing-yardage output of 1,665 yards in 1997 while following Lester’s blocks.

A blocking back, Lester also rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns and caught 47 passes for 331 yards in 93 games (53 starts).

Born in Miami, Lester was a star running back in college at Eastern Kentucky from 1988-91 and he still ranks sixth in school history with 3,640 rushing yards. He was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Lester was a 10th-round pick (255th overall) by the Rams in the 1992 NFL draft.

Lester spent his final pro season blocking for NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith.

Smith said on Twitter: “It’s a sad day to hear of Tim Lester’s passing… My thoughts go out to his family, Steelers Nation and his teammates that he so steadily blocked and protected. RIP to “The Bus Driver”

After his NFL career ended, Lester settled in Milton, located about 30 miles north of Atlanta. He founded a youth football program and coached high school football and was heavily involved in the community.

“Lester founded a non-profit organization called the Pigskin Academy to mentor, tutor, train and prepare at-risk athletes for success in all walks of life,” Lockwood said.

“He went into the ministry. He worked to feed those in need for Thanksgiving. He helped brighten Christmas for over 5,000 children living in public housing through the ‘Toys for Tots’ program. Closer to home, Tim was a dedicated family man to his children and wife Natalie. In other words, he made a difference.”

Maude Jones, 64

Died January 4, 2021.

Rock Springs Elementary School, Lawrenceville, GA

Special Education

Local news:

The family of a longtime Gwinnett County Public Schools employee, as well as her former co-workers, is mourning after she passed away earlier this month from COVID-19.

Maude Jones, who had been a paraprofessional at Rock Springs Elementary School who began working with Gwinnett County Public Schools in 2006, died on Jan. 4. She had been an employee of the district, and working at school, until she was hospitalized with COVID-19 last month.

“It just happened like one thing after another, after another,” Jones’ daughter, Nyenneh Jones, told Daily Post news partner FOX 5 Atlanta. “It was like a ball rolling downhill.”

Gwinnett County Public Schools officials said they could not confirm the cause of Jones’ death due to health privacy laws. A letter that Rock Springs Elementary School Principal Allan Gee sent to parents on Jan. 5 to inform them of Jones’ death did not mention COVID-19.

The letter noted that Jones had been at Rock Springs Elementary School since 2018 and that she officially entered retirement in December. Jones worked with students in a self-contained special education class at the school “in a caring and respectful manner,” the principal told the school’s parents.

“Although Ms. Jones would not have been returning to our school this semester as she had retired in December, I knew our Rock Springs family would want to know of our loss,” Gee said in the letter. “Losing a teacher, co-worker, and member of our school family is hard.”

In addition to being a teacher, Jones was also the primary caretaker for her son, who is disabled.

Jones’ family told FOX 5 that they believe she contracted the disease after someone at the school was diagnosed with it, although her daughter said the paraprofessional had taken great lengths to protect herself from getting the disease.

Maude Jones had already planned to retire at the end of the fall semester before she got COVID. The plan was for her last day at school before her retirement began to be Dec. 18, but she was hospitalized two days before that with complications from COVID-19.

“We beat ourselves up every day,” Nyenneh Jones said. “We should have encouraged her more to just not go back after the Thanksgiving break.”

To date, Rock Springs Elementary School has reported eight confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as two suspected cases and 13 close contacts with someone who has the disease.

Those numbers include one new confirmed case, one new suspected case and six close contacts that were reported by the school on Monday.

The school system has reported a total of 568 confirmed cases, 330 suspected cases and 2,703 close contacts so far during the current school year.

Three school board members — Everton Blair, Karen Watkins and Tarece Johnson — pushed for starting the spring semester in an all digital format and delaying a return to in-person instruction until Jan. 19 because of a sharp new spike of COVID-19 cases in Gwinnett County that began over the holidays. Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks, who had the final say on how students began the semester, disagreed with them during a called meeting on Jan. 4, however, and expressed opposition to making a change to the start of the semester.

Hannah Mansell, 26

Died January 17, 2021.

Mattoon Middle School, Mattoon, IL

Interpreter

Obituary:

Hannah Nicole Mansell, 26, of Mattoon and formerly of Jacksonville died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Carle Hospital in Urbana.

She was born Sept. 29, 1994, in Springfield, the daughter of Ken and Kathy Borgman Mansell.

She is survived by her parents of South Jacksonville; her paternal grandmother, Rosealie Mansell of Bourbonnais; maternal grandparents, Andrew and Marguerite Borgman of Springfield; her sister, Rachel Mansell of Jacksonville; and her boyfriend, Steve Cole of Mattoon. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Richard Thomas Mansell Sr.

Hannah was a 2013 graduate of Jacksonville High School and then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Sign Language interpreting from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. As a student, she was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega as well as many other groups and organizations. She then began working for Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (EIASE) in the Mattoon School District. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. Hannah’s infectious laugh and bright smile lit up every room into which she walked. She brought joy to everything she did and wouldn’t let anyone be in a bad mood. She also dearly loved her cat, Goose.

Because of the pandemic, a private family service will be held with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville. A Celebration of Life gathering will be announced at a later date. A memorial fund is being set up to honor Hannah’s giving nature. Tax-deductible donations to support acts of kindness toward deaf and hard-of-hearing students in need may be made to EIASE. Please write #kindnessforhannah or Hannah Mansell in the memo line. Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.

Deborah Menendez-Holloway, 51

Died January 11, 2021.

Arlington Elementary School, Jacksonville, FL

Second and Third Grade

Local news:

Deborah Menendez-Holloway, a longtime Duval County Public Schools educator, died of COVID-19 on Jan. 11 at the age of 51.

Menendez-Holloway taught second and third grade Language Arts students at Arlington Elementary this school year. Prior to that, she taught at Love Grove Elementary school for 17 years.

“She was incredibly generous, kind and so, so funny,” her daughter, Regina Holloway, told the Times-Union. “She had a very universal sense of humor. Everyone found her funny and relatable and understanding.”

The teacher’s brown hair with loose curls and toothy grin greeted Duval County Public Schools students and colleagues for over two decades.

“She brought love, joy, and kindness to her students and classrooms,” a statement from the school district said. “She will be deeply missed by her school community.”

Menendez-Holloway was born Nov. 16, 1969, and raised in Staten Island, New York. She moved to Jacksonville in 2000 and began teaching shortly after.

It’s unclear exactly how she contracted COVID-19, her daughter said, adding that Menendez-Holloway was teaching in-person since the beginning of the school year, but that the family was taking the virus seriously.

“It was a hazard of the job,” Holloway said. “She was a front line worker.”

According to Holloway, her mom was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-December and hospitalized for three weeks.

Love and support from former colleagues, students, family and friends has overwhelmed Facebook feeds since Menendez-Holloway’s passing.

“Seeing everything on social media and seeing how many people she truly touched speaks to how special she was,” Holloway said about her mom. “She never realized that.”

Local education advocate Latrice Carmichael, of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund’s Parents Who Lead initiative, called Menendez-Holloway “the heart at Love Grove.” Carmichael’s son, Donovan had Menendez-Holloway as a teacher in elementary school.

“The students knew she did not play,” she said, “but they knew she was going to go hard for them.”

Even in sickness, Menendez-Holloway was thinking about her students.

Just last week, while Menendez-Holloway was being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital, she and Carmichael shared a text exchange. Carmichael sent photos of a group of former Love Grove students, to which Menendez-Holloway replied, “you just don’t know how happy that makes me.”

“She never mentioned at that very moment she was in the hospital battling COVID,” Carmichael said. “She simply thought about students and said ‘Give them my love.’ This is such a loss for Duval.”

As things took a turn for the worse and Menendez-Holloway remained hospitalized into the new year, text served as a primary form of communication between her and her family, as well.

Holloway and her mom would talk about next year’s Christmas plans, since they didn’t get to see family this year. They joked about hospital food, with Menendez-Holloway sending pictures of her meals and would quip about the best and worst dishes she’d eaten.

“She was definitely a fighter, she was a positive person,” Holloway said. “She never wanted anyone to be sad. Our conversations would be funny things.”

Former students, like Obri Richardson, now college-aged, remarked about Holloway putting them on the right path.

“Love Grove Elementary will never be the same without my fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Deborah Holloway,” Richardson wrote on Facebook. “From her comical remarks to her pouring of wisdom, she touched the hearts and souls of those on the margins. I’m glad to say I was one of them who she both taught and touched.”

Deborah Menendez-Holloway is survived by her daughter, Regina, the Menendez and Holloway families, and all of her chosen family and students she knew over the years. A private service and memorial will be held in the future.

Earl Graham, 72

Died January 8, 2021.

Apopka High School, Apopka, FL

Basketball Coach

Local news:

For nearly 50 years Earl Graham was a youth basketball coach. It wasn’t the wins and losses he cared about most, it was his players.

“Making an impact on a young man’s life,” Graham’s son, JayRaj said. “It was just something that just meant a lot to him.”

In December, the man who loved to coach caught the coronavirus.

The virus didn’t just sideline his basketball season at Apopka High, but according to his family, it ultimately took his life.

“It hurt,” JayRaj said. “Especially with everything going on, you don’t want to think that maybe we could have done things differently or done something about this earlier, and we wouldn’t be at this point.”

Not only did the man with a smile from ear to ear help boys on the court, he helped everyday citizens off the court while working for the Orlando Fire Department for more than 25 years.

“See him coming down the pole, putting his stuff on, and getting on that truck and leaving that was pretty exciting,” Graham’s other son Roderick said with a smile. “But you knew that was something good if they were leaving also.”

A grandfather, a father, a fire fighter, a coach, a regular. No one in Earl’s life was a stranger.

“He never met a stranger in his life,” JayRaj said. “We would be at the grocery store sometimes, and he will wait in line and he will look behind him and just start talking to the person.”

Before Earl caught the coronavirus while he was doing what he loved: coaching basketball as an assistant coach at Apopka High. His schedule is stuck to the fridge to this day, with his handwriting on the schedule showing he went out a winner.

Earl Graham over the years coached hundreds of kids who went off to play college basketball, but he did coach a pair with ties to the NBA. Vince Carter, and Austin Rivers.

Earl Graham was 72 years old.

Anna Botley, 61

Died January 10, 2021.

Ossun Elementary School, Lafayette, LA

Special Education

Local news:

Twenty-four years ago, Anna Botley was a certified nursing assistant for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital when she started working with Lafayette’s youngest learners at a local Head Start program.

“She fell in love with working with children,” said Botley’s daughter, Kianna Patton. “She found her purpose in teaching and working with children.”

Patton was 3 when her mom began to realize that love, and it would later inspire her to enter the world of education, too. Patton teaches at an elementary school in Lake Charles and feels like that was inevitable.

“I was always around kids and working with kids because of her,” Patton said. “Even in the children’s church ministry at our church Destiny of Faith, we would volunteer together taking care of kids since I was 12.

“I tried to run away from teaching, but just like her, my heart was drawn to teaching kids.”

Botley, originally from Ville Platte, died Sunday after 23 days fighting COVID-19. She had turned 61 four days earlier.

She is the second Lafayette Parish teacher to die due to COVID-19. Michelle Suire, a 53-year-old special education teacher at a Lafayette elementary, died Dec. 22 from complications of the virus.

Botley leaves behind husband Henry Botley, daughter Kianna Patton, son Rick Botley and a legacy of more than two decades with the Lafayette Parish School System. During that time, she’d worked as a teacher’s assistant, cafeteria worker, substitute teacher and special needs bus attendant.

Over the years, Botley worked with children of all ages. She was working with students in the special education department at Ossun Elementary before she died, Patton said.

“She loved her students,” Patton said. “For every holiday, she’d shower them with gifts. She loved to make learning fun for them, too. She always encouraged them.”

The two would swap stories about their students every day after school, she said.

“My favorite thing about her was how caring and loving she was with everyone she met and worked with,” Patton said. “She always had a smile on her face.”

Botley also was a fashionable dresser, a woman of faith and a great cook — “Her gumbo was her specialty,” Patton said.

“She loved to cook for everyone,” her daughter said. “Anything you wanted, she could cook. She just had a giving spirit, always wanting to bless others.”

Those who knew her had similar things to say on social media Monday.

Brandi J. Bell, who said she’d known Botley since Bell was a little kid, described the woman as “so sweet, always had a smile on her face.”

Lindsay Doucet Thibodeaux, who said she’d worked with Botley in recent years, called her one of the most genuine and nice people you could meet — “So sweet and caring!”

Botley’s niece, Jennifer Tezeno, said she wasn’t just an aunt, but a mentor, too

“She was always encouraging me and giving me advice,” Tezeno wrote on Facebook. “We will miss you teasing us… miss your laugh and smile… but God had other plans for you.”

Latina Perry, 42

Died January 10, 2021.

Wakefield Creative School, Raleigh, NC

Curriculum Specialist

Local news:

The Wakefield Creative School community is still in disbelief after curriculum specialist Latina Perry died from coronavirus complications.

It’s something that’s difficult to explain to any child.

“Why is Ms. Tina not going to be there, where did Ms. Tina go? We explain to her that she had to go and live with God, and she wants to know why we told her that COVID has been very ugly to Miss. Tina,” said Sonya Thomas, who has a granddaughter at Wakefield Creative School.

Thomas said Perry loved her job and her students. But, Thomas said she has concerns about the school.

“We are ushering our students and our babies into a facility that’s contaminated, and the staff and the directors on the inside know that and have not shared that information with us,” Thomas, said.

Thomas added that the school sent out one email informing families of Perry’s death, but, never mentioned it was related to COVID — something she she feels parents have the right to know.

“We have not received any communication that a staff member tested positive,” added Thomas.

Wakefield Creative School president Brad Hester said the last time Perry was inside the building was on Dec. 22.

In a statement, he said the school is “conducting verbal screenings, temperature checks and are sanitizing and deep cleaning, as well.”

Hester added that other employees and staff are being tested for the virus as a precautionary measure and that he plans to send another letter out to staff and families with plans for the remainder of the week. He added that he wants to be as transparent as possible.

Thomas said she will not be taking her granddaughter back to the school until she feels it’s safe.

“It needs to be professionally sanitized and it needs to be deemed safe,” she explained. “It complicates things for us, but we need to do what we need to do.”

Anthony Cardinale, 51

Died January 6, 2021.

Woodmere Middle School, Woodmere, NY

Technology

Local news:

Hewlett-Woodmere School District faculty members and students from past and present shared their memories of beloved Woodmere Middle School faculty member Anthony Cardinale.

The district announced that the middle school technology teacher died on Jan. 6 from Covid-19 complications. He was 51. Cardinale had contracted the virus during the holiday break.

A Brooklyn native, he began working in the Hewlett-Woodmere district in September of 2004, all at Woodmere Middle School. Cardinale was previously a teacher at Valley Stream Central High School from 1996 to 2004.

He also served as an adviser to clubs and activities at the school including, the art, chess, multimedia and video clubs, along with being the set designer for the middle school’s musicals and the trip coordinator for the sixth and eighth grades.

Cardinale was well known for taking photographs as the students presented their projects at the History and science fairs, Career Day, Invention Convention and many other school events.

Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. said in a statement that Cardinale was a well-liked staff member. “The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools family suffered a devastating loss with the passing of Mr. Anthony Cardinale,” Marino wrote. “He was an extraordinary and caring educator who always put his students first. It was impossible not to smile while in his presence and feel uplifted after even the briefest conversation with him.”

Alexandria Blair is a Hewlett-Woodmere graduate who currently works as a teaching assistant at the middle school. Blair had Cardinale as a teacher during her middle school years and noted how his class helped her get through tough times.

“My middle school experience was not easy to say the least being the new kid who moved from out of district and being in the midst of being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,” Blair said. “Mr. Cardinale was always kind to me when kids were not. His class was exciting and he never failed to make us laugh. He made coming to school easier, even on my hardest days.”

Blair noted that it was an honor to be a co-worker of Cardinale’s years after she sat in his classroom. “I can hear his voice carrying down the hall, my first year working at WMS, telling anyone who would listen, ‘Did you know this beautiful young lady was my student?” she said. “This man had such a genuine and sweet soul.”

Anthony Sylmetaj said he was a friend of Cardinale’s for roughly 30 years. He described Cardinale as being a gentleman. “Every year, we would all go out for Christmas dinner with our families and have 4th of July barbecues,” Sylmetaj said. “I’ll miss meeting up at the pool hall every weekend. Anthony made everyone around him feel comfortable like the true gentleman he was.”

Marino added that Cardinale will always be remembered fondly by students and staff. “Mr. Cardinale will be greatly missed by all,” he said. “His legacy will live on through the memories of all who had the honor of knowing him.”

Andrew Briggs, 57

Died January 6, 2021.

Community Elementary School, Unionville, TN

Music

Obituary:

Funeral services for Andrew Dale Briggs, age 57 of Shelbyville will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of Gowen-Smith with Robert Drawdy and Rev. Roger Briggs officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Friends may visit the funeral home on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, January 6, 20201 from 10:00 am until the time of service.

Mr. Briggs passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna.

He is a native of Marceline, Missouri and the son of Roger Briggs and Jeanette Nash Briggs of Missouri and they survive him.

Mr. Briggs was a music teacher at Community Elementary school and has dedicated his life to teaching children.

Other survivors include his wife: Jennifer Briggs of Shelbyville, children: Charity Ann Briggs of Shelbyville, Rachel Briggs-Smith of Nashville, Alexander Briggs of Cookevile, McKenzie Heflin of Shelbyville and Ryan Heflin of Unionville.

He is survived by one brother: Brian David Briggs of Bloomington, Illinois, Mother and father in law: Jimmy and Wanda Price of Shelbyville and Austin Pressley of Petersburg, one sister in law: Shelly Pressley of Shelbyville, One niece: Kimberlyn Pressley of Flatcreek.

He is also survived by one grandchild: Rylee Isabella Grace Heflin of Unionville, and one great niece: Tayelyn Mae Hampton of Flat Creek.

Mr. Briggs is survived by many nieces and nephews and numerous colleagues and friends.

Gowen-Smith Chapel in Shelbyville, TN. is assisting the family.

David Feldman, 65

Died January 14, 2021.

Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Athletic Director

Obituary:

David Anthony Feldman, age 65 died Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan following a long valiant battle against COVID-19.

David was born May 13, 1955, in Detroit Michigan the son of the late Davey Feldman and the late Rosemary “Patty” (nee: Armaly) Feldman. David was raised on the Northwest side of Detroit where he attended St. Gerard Catholic grade school and later graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School. While in high school he was a standout athlete, matriculating onto Notre Dame University where he was a member of the basketball team, and later graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree.

David cherished his Catholic education and continued his learning attending the University of Detroit where he achieved his teaching certification. Following his education, David owned and operated a convenience and party store near the Pontiac Silverdome and later became the partner of the Boat Works Restaurant and Bar in St. Clair Shores for over 10 years.

David eventually retired from the restaurant business and returned to his love of sports and mentoring youths. He taught and coached at St. Alphonsus in Dearborn, and later at St. Agatha in Redford where he coached and became the Athletic Director, then onto St. Clement in Center Line, and currently serving as the Athletic Director for Marian Catholic High School since 2004.

David was cherished, revered, and beloved by all the student-athletes he came to mentor over his many years. He was a guy who could never say “no” to helping a kid when it involved sports or giving a young coach an opportunity to enhance their professional coaching career. His love for his wife and family extended to others he considered his second family along with his devotion to sports exuding from every conversation David had with others. David held many accolades over the years including being a member to the Catholic League Hall of Fame and his many other memberships in Michigan high school sports. However mentoring youths was his proudest achievement… David’s catchphrase to the kids and others was always, “Be Awesome”.

Whenever David had time for himself it usually involved attending his own children’s sporting events with his wife or bowling and golfing. He couldn’t have been more proud of his kid’s achievements and how they have matured into fine young adults. David left us far too soon, but his legacy will live on forever, remember “Be Awesome”.

David was the beloved husband of Jackie (nee: Wouters) Feldman and was the cherished father of Davis Feldman, Nathan Feldman, and Jacqui Rose Feldman. He is further survived by his brother Neal (Tricia) Feldman and was the son-in-law of Bernie (Carole) Wouters and Jackie Stieber. David was the brother-in-law to Kim (Jim) Broski, Bernie (Lisa) Wouters, and Brian (Chris) Wouters. He is also survived by many loving family members, friends, and the entire Marian and Brother Rice Catholic community.

David will lie in state Tuesday, January 19^th, 10 am, at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Families St. Clement Campus in Center Line, Michigan, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Ron Victor.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, if you are unable to attend the Funeral Mass, a livestream of the service can be found on the Catholic High School League website.

Paul Lindner Sr., 67

Died January 10, 2021.

St. Mary’s High School, Manhasset, NY

Religion

Local news:

Paul Lindner Sr., who spent over 30 years as a member of the faculty at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, has died.

Lindner, of Queens Village, was 67 when he succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 on Jan. 10, the school said in a Facebook post. He had been diagnosed with the disease three weeks prior to his death and had been in an intensive care unit, they said.

Born Mar. 25, 1953, the school says that before his tenure at St. Mary’s, Lindner worked in the Diocese of Brooklyn for several years.

He began as a teacher in the school’s religion department in 1988 and remained in the position for the next several decades. After school, Lindner led the extracurricular activities the Music Club and Chess Club.

Lindner also served as an adjunct professor in the theology department at St. John’s University in Jamaica.

“His students always spoke of what a kind man he was, and teaching at St. Mary’s brought him immense joy to share our faith with his students,” the school said. “He had a positive attitude that truly shined inside and outside of the classroom.”

In the comments below the school’s announcement of his death, Lindner was referred to as “an angel of a man.”

“He was truly my favorite teacher at St. Mary’s,” one wrote. “He helped me get through a very dark time in my teenage years. I will forever cherish all of my memories.”

“Mr. Linder taught me at St. Mary’s and again at St. John’s when I ended up in his class after changing my major to theology,” another said. “His class at SMHS totally helped me breeze through my courses at SJU.”

“Such a kind man, I loved going to chess club after school and having fun and laughing with him and everyone there,” a third wrote. “One of my favorite teachers of all time.”

“A phenomenal religion teacher,” a fourth said. “I used to drop off the guidance passes at his homeroom every morning and he always took the time to say hello. He really cared about his students.”

As a faculty member, Lindner was frequently asked about himself in the school’s yearbook Gael, where he shared that his favorite food was eggplant parmigiana; that he enjoyed reading, skating, and skiing; and that he once took room service to Johnny Cash.

In the 1999 edition of Gael, Lindner was asked to name his most prized possession.

“[My greatest possession is] my faith!” Lindner replies. “It causes me great joy, and it is my strength in times of trouble.”

Lindner is survived by his son Paul Jr.; the mother of his son, Jo Anne; and his extended family. He was buried on Jan. 14 at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in West Babylon.

Derrick Johnson, 43

Died January 10, 2021.

Huffman High School, Birmingham, AL

Special Education, Wrestling Coach

Local news:

A Birmingham City Schools coach who also taught special education died just days after his 43rd birthday. Derrick Johnson’s family told WBRC he passed away after being hospitalized with COVID-19 for a little more than two weeks.

Johnson, affectionately known as “Behr,” was unforgettable and those who knew and loved him were devastated by the untimely loss.

“We are hurting right now. We really, really are,” said Huffman High School Principal John C. Lyons.

An educator, athlete and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Johnson was simply one of those people who everyone liked. He dedicated his life to teaching children with special needs, serving 18 years with Birmingham City Schools.

Johnson began his career as a paraprofessional and coach in 2002 at his alma mater, Woodlawn High School. He was one of the youngest of the bunch of experienced educators at Woodlawn and in them, he found friends and mentors.

“I was assistant principal at the time over at Woodlawn. He told me he wanted to be an educator. More than anything that’s what he wanted to do,” Lyons recalled.

Principal Lyons now leads Huffman High School, where Johnson coached football, wrestling and taught his final classes.

Lyons said he wanted to start Birmingham City School’s only wrestling team and Behr was the coach.

On Christmas Eve 2020, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and later hospitalized. Lyons recalled the last conversation he had with Johnson just before he was taken to ICU. The pair found laughter in the darkest moment.

“I spoke to him on December 31. I said, ‘Stop playing around with this thing and let them do what they need to do so you can get back to work!’” Lyons joked. “I said, ‘We’ve got to move your classroom. Come on!’ He just laughed and said, ‘You have moved me all over the school.’”

Johnson died a little over a week later on January 10, 2021. Lyons vowed to continue Behr’s legacy.

“He was always happy, always laughing, always jovial. I’m proud to have been his supervisor and his friend,” said Lyons.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association released a statement calling Johnson an “icon” and offered condolences to family and friends.

Birmingham City School’s offered counseling to staff. Funeral arrangements have not been made at this time.

Tom Laythe, 65

Died January 1, 2021.

Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks, CA

Substitute, Cross Country and Track Coach

Local news:

Students and staff at Bella Vista High are mourning the loss of coach Tom Laythe.

The San Juan Unified School District says Laythe passed away on New Year’s Day from coronavirus complications.

Laythe coached both cross country and track. He was also a substitute teacher. The district says his last interaction with the students was in late November.

Fellow coach Harold Kuphaldt worked with Laythe for the last eight years. He said Laythe had a huge impact on the lives of students inside and outside of the classroom.

“Tom was loved by everyone that ever spent more than a few minutes with him. He was extremely well read and could find common ground with anyone in order to carry on an intelligent conversation. He loved to laugh and make others laugh,” Kupghaldt said in a statement. “He was deeply committed to seeing kids grow physically, mentally and emotionally. I can’t express to you deeply enough how much I will miss him and I know that everyone involved in the Bella Vista HS track and Cross country community feel the same way!”

In an announcement to student-athletes, Bella Vista principal Darrin Kitchen said Coach Laythe was a “wonderful man with a kind spirit.”

“I know that he was more than just a coach to you, but also a friend. Coach Laythe had such a positive impact on the lives of many BV student-athletes throughout the years that is difficult to quantify. He was well-liked and well-respected by his peers, the BV staff, and the many student-athletes he worked with in his career,” Principal Kitchen said in a statement.

According to his coaching biography, Laythe also coached at St. Francis and El Camino High School.

Counseling services are available for Bella Vista students.

Ted Malek Jr., 74

Died January 3, 2021.

Industrial High School, Vanderbilt, TX

Softball Coach

Obituary:

Ted “Buddy” Malek, Jr. of Edna, went to be with the Lord, on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at the age of 74. He was born in Aransas Pass, Texas on September 4, 1946, to the late Theodore Henry Malek Sr. and Mary Joan Poessel. He grew up in Edna, Texas and graduated from Industrial High School.

Buddy began coaching at age 19, when he coached his brother’s high school baseball team in Vanderbilt. Fifty-five years later, he ended life coaching in Vanderbilt as an Industrial Cobra Varsity Football and Head Varsity Softball Coach. In addition, during his career, he was an athletic director for Corpus Christi Academy, a coach for Banquete ISD and Edna ISD, and he coached in many other arenas as well, including Banquete Little League and other sports programs. He also managed Country Center, Inc. for his family and owned Country Center BBQ and Catering. He was also a long-time School Board Member for Banquete ISD and was active in many organizations such as Lions Club, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, and other community programs he was dedicated to.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach and friend. In the late 1960’s, Buddy attended a dance in Hillje, Texas. There he was struck by the lightning bolt of love, meeting Barbara Gail Wright. The two were married September 24, 1970, and lived their love for 28 years, raising their 3 children, Bowen, Jennifer and Tyson. Gail passed away in 1998. She was truly his first and last love~ he continued his devotion for his family and friends with her spirit by his side, never wavering in his love for all within his world. Buddy’s greatest joys came from his children and, ultimately, his four grandchildren. He was incredibly proud to be able to coach his granddaughter, Avereigh Gail, for the past three years, delighting in her talent and determination. Listening to his songbird granddaughter, Adysen, brought peace to his heart and a soft smile to his face. Watching young grandson Myles play Little League and flag football gave him excitement and hope for his grandson’s future in athletics. Grandson Clayton’s resolve and resolution to run his best race in cross country gave Buddy great pride, as much as watching Clayton succeed in the marching band and his academics.

Over his years, Buddy gained the moniker of “Coach” which stuck with him his entire life. Coach touched the lives of every person he met. He was truly a man for all seasons, ready to cope with any contingency, showing grace at every turn. He was humble, his word was impeccable, his integrity unmatched. Coach found light in every person and helped them find it within themselves. Coach Malek will never leave the hearts of the fellow coaches, students, and athletes he mentored and motivated over the decades. He loved them and treated them all as family, forging lifelong relationships with them. Many of his former players credit him with their successes, not only in regard to sports, but their positive outcomes as they move through their life. He taught by example, asking only what he asked of himself. His core values of a strong Christian faith, respect of self and others, and motivation to try the thing most feared and succeed in that led countless numbers of people to gain lasting pride in themselves. Coach remained proud of each and every student and athlete he coached and mentored. He would glow with delight when hearing of the triumphs of his former students as well as his family and friends.

Buddy welcomed everyone to his home, people were drawn to his table, whether it be inside or outside, enjoying his food and company. Often the loudest laughter came from Buddy, as he was

his own greatest audience when telling a joke or story. He embodied qualities expressed by T.S. Elliot: “to do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing and to contemplate the beautiful thing~ that is enough for one man’s life.” Those distinctive traits and his love will be the guide for all of us touched by his magical spirit. We can be forever grateful to his family for sharing him with the world. All he impacted with his unconditional love, integrity, honesty, and kindness are better people for having been graced by being part of his world~ he made each of us feel separately special.

Sadness has overtaken Buddy’s family, friends, and all he gave his friendship, love, and care so freely to. It will slowly pass as we wish this dear man endless peace, love, and contentment. Be positive that he is either dancing with his Gail, most likely to a Neil Diamond song, or standing out on a sports field in Heaven, his booming voice calling out so we can eventually find our way to him. Deep peace to Coach, Dad, Paw~ he is a true hero and his selfless compassion will be everyone’s guide: just keep your hearts and minds open, he will find each of us.

Coach is survived by his daughter, Jennifer L. Stephenson-Smiga (husband Joe) of Inez, Texas and sons, Bowen J. Malek (wife MeLynn) of Edna, Texas and Tyson S. Malek of Houston; sister Tessie (husband Larry) Waltman of Canton, Mississippi and brother Michael (wife Billie Sue) Malek of Edna, Texas; his granddaughters, Avereigh Gail Stephenson and Adysen Malek; his grandsons, Myles Malek and Clayton Stephenson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents; his wife Barbara Gail Wright Malek; and his son-in-law Troy Allen Stephenson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am with a rosary to be recited at 10:30 am, and a funeral mass to follow, all in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria. Burial will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am, at the Memorial Park in Robstown, Texas, where he will be laid to rest with his beloved soul mate.

Pallbearers are Sonny Strelec, Josh Lovelady, Craig Nairn, Rob Elkins, Kensey Allen, Jon Malek, James Dixon, Blake Rogers, Jeff Hellums, and Ed Sralla.

Honorary Pallbearers are Coach’s Pinto Bean Coffee Crew, the many coaches who coached alongside him over the years, and the countless students and athletes he coached, taught, and mentored over his lifetime.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ted “Buddy” Malek Memorial Scholarship Fund at the First State Bank in Ganado, PO Box 254, Ganado, Texas 77962.

Stacey Williams Sr., 53

Died January 4, 2021.

Eastside High School, Gainesville, FL

Football Coach

Obituary:

Stacey J. Williams, AKA “Coach” & “Hog”, 53 of Gainesville, transitioned on January 4, 2021. Stacey is a 1986 graduate of Hawthorne High School and was employed at LifeSouth Community Blood Bank, Gainesville, FL. He took pride in mentoring and coaching local youths as a Football Coach for 25 years.

He leaves to cherish his memories, loving and dedicated wife, Latraile Williams, Gainesville, FL; children, Stacey J. Williams Jr., Shaun C. Williams, Desmond D. Williams, all of Gainesville, FL, Darius D. Akins Williams, Norcross, GA, Zayna J. Akins Williams, Archer, FL; grandchildren, Kaden , Stacey J. III, Siare and Sean Williams all of Gainesville; siblings, Elvis Williams (Velma), Larry B. Williams Sr (April), Tammy R. Williams, Myron Williams, William Reynolds (Yolanda), Delvin Williams; step sister, Sharon Purdy; Second Mom, Irish Ivey; God Mothers, Cheryl Williams & Aldonia Hawkins, all of Hawthorne; and other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Annie Gillins Williams & Leo Williams; a son, Keyon Williams; siblings, Leonard, Gail, and Reginald Williams.
Graveside Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Hawthorne Cemetery, Pastor Kinnzon Hutchinson is Officiating. Viewing on Friday at Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home 21400 SE Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne, FL, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday at the gravesite 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING TO BE OBSERVED. The cortege will form 10:15 a.m. at PINKNEY-SMITH FUNERAL HOME OF HAWTHORNE.

Sheree Coccaro, 62

Died January 8, 2021.

Thomas Wallace Middle School, Vineland, NJ

Security Guard

Obituary:

Sheree (Scarpa) Coccaro, 62, of Vineland, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2021 at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. Sheree was born in Vineland to Charles J Scarpa and Gerri Brown. She graduated from Millville High School in 1976. In 1980, she married the love of her life Peter F. Coccaro III; together they had two children Peter IV and Kaelin.

For over 26 years Sheree work for the Vineland Board of Education at various schools as a security officer, most recently at the Wallace School in Vineland. She enjoyed so much in life mostly her family and two grandbabies Angelina and Peter. Family was her world. Sheree loved cooking, scrapbooking, and camping, taking family pictures, weekend trips to Lancaster, PA and summer vacations to Sea Isle City with her family. One of her favorite things she loved to do was her nightly wine gatherings on the patio with her dear friend Helen Ann.

She is survived by husband of 40 years, Peter F Coccaro III; her daughter, Kaelin Coccaro (John); son, Peter F Coccaro IV (Brooke); granddaughter, Angelina Coccaro; grandson, Peter F Coccaro V; father, Charles J Scarpa; mother, Gerri Brown; sister, Carrie Dalton (Darrell); stepbrothers, Rusty Brown and Elmer “Butch” Brown; stepsister, Debbie Ryan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her stepfather Elmer Brown; her grandparents and her in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360. At the families request donations in memory of Sheree may be made to: the charity of ones choice in support for relief of COVID-19. To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com

Maria Hernandez, 55

Died January 7, 2021.

Mulberry High School, Mulberry, FL

Paraprofessional, Secretary

Local news:

Polk County Public Schools now has at least one fatality from COVID-19.

Maria Hernandez, 55, a longtime paraprofessional and secretary in Mulberry schools, died from the virus on Thursday, according to family and friends.

“We are heartbroken about the loss of Maria,” said Michael Young, principal of Mulberry High School, where Hernandez worked in the guidance office. “She was driven by her passion to help our students and families have better futures. Maria excelled at celebrating student accomplishments and encouraging them to stretch themselves beyond their expectations. Her Instagram handle was ‘Mulberry Momma Bear,’ and it was very fitting for her – she filled in that role for all of our students.”

Young added that, in addition to her work duties, Hernandez could be found tutoring, mentoring, selling tickets for games, chaperoning fieldtrips to colleges — “all without pay. She was motivated by love.”

PCPS officials said they had not heard of any other employee dying of COVID, which would make Hernandez the first known fatality among the district’s 13,000 employees and more than 100,000 students.

“She was a valued member of the Mulberry High School community, and will be dearly missed,” said PCPS spokeswoman Rachel Pleasant. “Our deepest sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues.”

Her daughter, 29-year-old Blanca Helmick, said Hernandez and her youngest son, 16-year-old Jacob Ritchie, attended a wrestling tournament involving seven Polk County schools in mid-December. After people started getting sick, the school district canceled all athletic events.

Helmick said Jacob got sick first and then her mother began showing symptoms and tested positive.

“She was fine, and then it wasn’t until a few days later, she was starting to feel sick herself and it just got worse after that,” Helmick said.

She held back tears to describe her mother as the most selfless person she has known.

“My mom was very giving — I literally didn’t know anyone like her,” Helmick said. “She not only cared so much about her family, she cared about her community and kids in the high school and kids in the migrant program. When I was little…I don’t know how many house visits I went with her (on) to families that were in need. She would literally drop anything to help someone who needed help, to giving them her last dollar. That was my mom. And she was a woman of God, her faith was so important to her.”

Helmick said her mother was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, and is survived by Helmick, Ritchie and Hernandez’s other four children: Clint Griner, 36, Jamie Waring, 28, Ronald Helmick, 26, and Taylor Helmick, 24.

Dani Higgins, a migrant interventionist teacher for PCPS, worked alongside Hernandez at Kingsford Elementary School and then through their migrant relief work.

“We started a relationship as co-workers and quickly became friends,” said Higgins, who worked tirelessly with Hernandez and Emilia Segovia to help Mulberry’s migrant community with donations of food, clothing, school supplies, tutoring and mentoring. “Maria treated everyone with respect and kindness. She would always do what was necessary to help others if it was in her ability to do so. That often meant staying well beyond her workday to meet a parent who was unable to get off (work) earlier, to make phone calls, translate documents, teach English, or to translate for a meeting. Much of these activities were not paid hours, but she enjoyed helping others.”

Higgins said Hernandez encouraged the migrant students to set goals and to attain them because they are a population that doesn’t have much of what is needed to succeed and is often marginalized by society.

“They could count on her — she cheered them on. She cheered the families on,” Higgins said. “However, she didn’t stop there. She also spent weekends and evenings translating college nights, chaperoning field trips and attending service events with the Adelante Club. She always showed up for the students when they needed her. We attended many graduation ceremonies, family celebrations, quinceaneras, weddings and births. She valued the families that she served, and that made a tremendous impact – on them and on me.”

Those who knew her took to social media on Thursday to express their grief and their condolences to Hernandez’s family, including her children.

Cindy Hill Spear taught third and fifth grades at Kingsford Elementary School and worked with Hernandez. She also taught one of Hernandez’s daughters, Blanca, in the fifth grade.

“Maria Hernandez was such a wonderful woman and a great asset to the Mulberry community,” Spear said in a Facebook private message. “During her stay at Kingsford she was always willing to step up and help wherever she was needed, whether it was helping Hispanic parents during a parent conference or taking extra duties at school. She was such a wonderful parent her children. Mulberry has lost a gem, and she will be sorely missed.”

Helmick has started a GoFund me page to help with funeral costs and to set up a trust for Jacob. It can be found at http://bit.ly/35iboQn.

Gabriel Arellano, 39

Died January 5, 2021.

Montebello High School, Montebello, CA

Football Coach

Local news:

This week the area lost a longtime assistant football coach who was described as having a big smile, big heart, and who would do just about anything for his players.

Gabriel Arellano, who was going into his third season as the receivers coach at Montebello High and who spent several years as an assistant at Rosemead High, died on Tuesday, Jan. 5 after contracting COVID-19. He was 39.

Arellano is survived by his wife, Rena, daughter, Lana, and son, Nathan, all of whom also contracted COVID-19, but recovered from it.

After spending just over a week in the hospital, Arellano lost his battle with the coronavirus that is raging through Los Angeles County and the rest of the country.

“I had so much respect for him,” Montebello football coach Pete Gonzalez said, “and this was so devastating for everyone that knew him.”

Arellano and Marc Paramo met in 2007 when both were assistant football coaches at Rosemead. Arellano was there when Paramo served as the Panthers’ head coach from 2012-16, and they remained close friends after Paramo stepped away from coaching to focus on teaching while Arrellano became an assistant at Montebello.

Paramo said he was devastated by the sudden loss of his good friend.

He recalled that they had a good laugh when Arellano called him on Dec. 15 to wish him a happy birthday. But soon after that, Paramo got the news he had always feared for his buddy.

“A couple days after my birthday I got a text message about him being in the hospital and (I) called one of his close friends and learned he had COVID,” Paramo said. “His whole family had gotten it. He went to the hospital on Saturday and by Monday he was on a ventilator.”

And a little more than a week later he was gone.

“Nobody knows how he contracted it,” Paramo said. “He was still working during COVID. He worked in a warehouse, but he was waiting for football to start again. But my buddy, he was always somewhat overweight, and we talked about his weight and he was working at it. But Gabe was one of my friends that I worried about the most. It’s just so heartbreaking.”

Gonzalez had been in touch with Arellano often in recent months as they waited for the high school football season to be allowed to start.

“He was a great coach, a great guy, a good people and players coach,” Gonzalez said of Arellano. “He had a good relationship with his players. He was a guy who was always laughing, but he held people accountable. He was a hard-working kind of guy, but really good with the players.”

Paramo was the one who told Gonzalez that he should hire Arellano as an assistant.

“When Marc moved on from coaching and I asked about coaches, he said this is the one guy (Arellano) that I truly recommend,” Gonzalez said. “It didn’t take me long to know why after getting to know him. He was a great addition and we’re going to miss him.”

A GoFund me account has been created to help Arellano’s family.

Arellano graduated from Schurr High and attended East Los Angeles College.

Paramo says Arellano liked to talk about picking off a pass former UCLA quarterback Cade McNown in a seven-on-seven game, which was sort of his claim to fame.

He also remembers the day he met Arellano when he joined Rosemead’s coaching staff in 2007. That season the Panthers went on play for a CIF-SS divisional title.

“He came to us excited as could be,” Paramo said. “He always had this huge smile and a gregarious personality. He always brought this positive energy, but if you pissed him off he was going to let you feel his wrath. He always had a great rapport with his athletes, and I can assure you he would have taken the shirt off his back for every single one of them. What he may have lacked in knowledge, he more than doubled in dedication and loyalty.”

Paramo said Arellano was there for him when his father passed away, and that he had a strong desire to get back into shape as his two kids played high school sports.

“He was super excited about his kids and the fact they were playing basketball,” Paramo said. “One is a sophomore and the other a junior at Montclair High School. He just bought his first home a few years back in Montclair and just put a pool in. He was super excited and proud. He was a devout Dodgers fan, Lakers fan, 49ers fan, and Bruins fan.

“I am going to miss him, I already do. He just had this ability to make you laugh. He was a support system for me and many others.”

Gonzalez and Paramo both repeated how important it is for everyone to stay vigilant with the health and safety precautions during the pandemic.

“I’ve always looked at it (COVID-19) with concern,” Gonzalez said. “I knew a couple guys early on that got it and passed away, so I always had a lot of concern with it. Right now we have a couple kids whose parents caught it. So all that matters to me is the health and safety of everyone’s families. That is the most important thing right now.”

Paramo admitted he hasn’t always been as cautious as he is now.

“With all the high tension, I do my best to stay in my lane,” Paramo said. “I feel we live in a time where nobody is tolerant of anybody. As I’ve gotten older, I went from being a hothead to being very understanding and tolerant. I’m not a scientist, not a doctor, and I’m one of the few to say I hated wearing masks in the beginning.

“But now, I follow all the rules. I wear a mask and wash my hands and do what they tell me, whether I like it or not. If someone in that field (doctors and scientists) that knows more than me and spent a lot of money on their education tells me what we should be doing, I’m going to do it.”

David Lougee, 53

Died January 10, 2021.

Kashunamiut School District, Chevak, AK

Superintendent

Obituary:

On Sunday, January 10, 2021, David Alan Lougee, husband, father and grandfather, passed away at age 53 due to complications from COVID.

David was born on September 26, 1967, to Roy and Vicki Lougee. On September 30, 1989, he married Beth (Schiller) Lougee. They raised two sons, Matthew and Derek. David proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1987-1991. After his time serving in the U.S. Army, David earned his bachelors, masters and education specialist degrees in education where he believed in every student and educator ability to do their best and make the most out of everything.

In addition to David and Beth’s two sons, David loved his two daughter-in-law’s, Jennifer (Matthew) Lougee and Brynna (Derek) Lougee and six grandchildren. David absolutely loved each of his grandchildren and prided himself on making sure every visit was spent equally with each one going to breakfast, reading, playing games and sitting and just talking.

It is often said David did not know a stranger. He made people feel welcomed and was always making sure people were taken care of with food, rides and any other needs. David’s joy and enthusiasm for life was shared with those he coached, taught, worked with and either just met or knew all his life. David was also “fun” Uncle/Cousin Dave as you never knew mid story if you were going to be all the sudden tackled, tickled, swung around, high fived or off on an adventure that in his younger years may have been on the risky side to his older years where the adventures were more ice cream, shopping trips or a day venturing in the outdoors.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Vicki Lougee and father-in-law, Jake Schiller. He is survived by his wife Beth, his two sons and daughter-in-law’s, Matthew and Jennifer Lougee and Derek and Brynna Lougee and six grandchildren, Jeremiah, Mariah, Devyn, Leighton, Aspyn and Piper, brothers Darren Lougee and Mike (Heidi) Lougee, mother-in-law, Eileen Schiller, brother-in-law, Darin (Charma) Schiller and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral and burial service will be held at the Upton Community Center on January 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The family is currently working to establish a student scholarship for a Wright Panther graduating senior in David’s name. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5^th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com

Marlene Evans, 59

Died January 18, 2021.

Virtus Academy of South Carolina, Florence, SC

Kindergarten

Obituary:

Marlene Myers Evans, 59, of Florence, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021.

Mrs. Evans was born in Dillon, SC, daughter of the late Margaret Myers Harrell. She was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where she served as Director of Children’s Ministries for 20+ years, served as Vice-President of the United Methodist Women, was a member of the church choir and taught Sunday School class. She received the 2014 Community Leadership award by the Woodmen of the World. Marlene taught for 27 years at Easterling Elementary School in Marion and was currently teaching at Virtus Academy. She was passionate about her students, whom she called her children, and had a special place in her heart for children of special needs. She had fostered over ten foster children. She was a huge supporter of the “Help for Kids” Backpack lunches along with other charities within the community. She was a compassionate caretaker to all her friends and family, sometimes to a fault. Marlene was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend to all. She loved her family and she worshiped her Lord and Savior.

Surviving are her husband, Carey Nathaniel Evans of Florence; daughters, Ashleigh (Forrest) Ham and Ryleigh Evans; brothers, Wayne (Melissa) Nettles and Ronnie Nettles; sisters, Dana (Clair) Harrell, Cindy McElveen, and Farrah Jones; and her soul-sister, Terry Miller.

Memorials may be made to Help for Kids Backpack Program, 252 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3:00 pm Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Friendship United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 pm in the church cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.

Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.

Dinora Mejia

Died January 10, 2021.

Potomac View Elementary School, Woodbridge, VA

Custodian

Local news:

A custodian who worked at a Prince William County’s Potomac View Elementary School has died from complications to COVID-19, the school division has confirmed.

The custodian, identified by the school division as Dinora Mejia, was “a longtime daytime custodian” at the Woodbridge elementary school. She had been on medical leave since Dec. 9, Potomac View Elementary School Principal Latiesa Geen said in a Jan. 11 email to parents.

Members of the school division’s “critical incident team will be available to assist students and staff in coping with their sadness,” Green’s email said.

“Please pay attention to your student’s emotional needs during the next few weeks, especially if he/she knew Ms. Mejia,” the email said.

Prince William County schools officials confirmed the custodian’s death on Tuesday morning.

“We are very saddened by the death of Dinora Mejia, beloved daytime custodian at Potomac View Elementary School and 20-year employee of PWCS,” Diana Gulotta, a school division spokeswoman, said in an email.

Mejia is the first school division employee to die of complications related to COVID, Gulotta said.

The school division does not believe the custodian became infected with the virus at school, Gulotta said.

“We were provided information that she had close contact with someone outside of school that had COVID-19,” Gulotta said in an email.

News of the custodian’s death comes as the school division welcomed thousands more students into the school buildings today as its hybrid learning model expanded to include second- and third-grade students. They returned to schools on Jan. 12 for the first time since last March.

The news also precedes the school board’s special meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tonight, to discuss Superintendent Steven Walts’ latest change to in-school learning plans.

Teachers and staff are now eligible for vaccines and are set to begin receiving them on Jan. 28, Prince William Health Department Director Dr. Alison Ansher told the Manassas City Council Monday night.

Carlos May-Gamboa, 74

Died January 10, 2021.

Berryville High School, Berryville, AR

Substitute Teacher

Local news:

The death toll attributed to COVID-19 in Carroll County continues to rise, with one additional death reported since last week, bringing the total to 34.

According to data released by the Arkansas Department of Health on Tuesday morning, there have been 2,408 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in the county since the pandemic began, including 2,070 lab-confirmed cases. As of Tuesday, 2,209 were classified as “recovered” and 165 were still considered “active.”

Tuesday’s numbers represented an increase of 121 cases in the county, an average of more than 17 per day, in the past week.

Berryville School District superintendent Owen Powell confirmed last week that a teacher in the district had died from the virus. The district hasn’t released any more details or identified the teacher but posted a Facebook tribute on Jan. 13 to Carlos May-Gamboa.

“Our Bobcat Family has been heartbroken over the recent loss of Mr. Carlos May-Gamboa,” the post on the school district’s Facebook page says. “The students of BHS who entered Mr. May-Gamboa’s classroom were greeted with love, acceptance, joy, and humor. He is greatly missed already. Please remember and pray for his family, his friends, and our Bobcat Family.”

A death notice published Jan. 12 on the Harrison Daily Times website said May-Gamboa died Jan. 10 at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison. He was 74. A native of Merida, Mexico, he lived in Harrison, according to the notice.

Statewide, the health department reported an increase of 15,919 in the past seven days, bringing the total number of cases to 272,263, including 219,956 lab-confirmed. To date, 4,343 deaths have been attributed to the virus statewide.

Despite the statewide increases, Gov. Asa Hutchinson last week pointed out some positive signs during his weekly report.

“If you look in the middle right there, you’ll see that we have added 3,209 total cases over the last 24 hours,” Hutchinson said during his Jan. 12 report. “This is down about a thousand, I believe it is, from a week ago. Our testing is higher than it was a week ago. We have 10,600 that’s been tested, both PCR tests and antigen tests. The hospitalizations have decreased by 17, which is some some relief for our hospitals, but with the increase yesterday they before we’re still got a ways to go to give any real relief for our hospitals. That’s still a challenge for us.”

ADH data showed Tuesday that COVID-19 hospitalizations have decreased since last week, falling from 1,371 on Jan. 12 to 1,263, while patients requiring intensive care have fallen from 460 to 410. The number of infected people requiring the aid of a ventilator has also fallen from 268 to 216.

Vaccinations are also continuing across the state. According to health department data released Sunday, more than 131,000 Arkansans have received the vaccines since Dec. 14 at hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health providers, putting the state a bit ahead of schedule.

Hutchinson announced last week that since the vaccination plan was proceeding more rapidly than expected, the state planned to move on to two categories from Phase 1-B, which was initially intended to begin in February, on Monday. The two categories are Arkansans aged 70 and over and educators.

“These vaccines are available through your community pharmacies,” Hutchinson said. “The hospitals are participating in this. When they have the doses available, [people] can call ahead for an appointment, and there will be vaccine clinics and events that may be available in your area. This is a county-by-county approach in terms of the vaccinations, but we’re increasing that opportunity for those to get vaccinated.

“In terms of education, including higher ed and child care, the school districts will drive it.”

The rest of Phase 1-B, which includes food/agricultural workers, firefighters and police not in 1-A, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, child care workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, and essential government workers, is still scheduled to begin next month. In total, Phase 1-B is expected to include more than 400,000 Arkansans. Phase 1-C is planned for April.

According to the ADH website, local pharmacies participating in the vaccine effort include Economy Drug in Berryville, Harps Pharmacy in Green Forest, Holiday Island Pharmacy, Poynor Drug in Berryville and Smith Drug & Company in Eureka Springs.

“This is working from each county and community to assure that vaccinations are available across the state and not just in one area,” Hutchinson said.

Dana Johnson, 49

Died January 21, 2021.

Kemp Elementary School, Powder Springs, GA

First Grade

Obituary:

Dana B. Johnson, age 49 of Douglasville, GA. passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Wellstar Paulding Hospital. She was born on February 12, 1971 to her parents, Nathan Jerome Simpson Sr. and Althea Baker. Mrs. Johnson was a schoolteacher for more than 26 years and was currently employed at Kemp Elementary in Powder Springs, GA. She was a faithful member of Oasis Family Life Church in Dallas, GA. She is preceded in death by her brother, Nathan Jerome Simpson Jr.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her loving husband of almost 24 years, Timothy Johnson Sr., her sons; Timothy Allen Johnson Jr. of Douglasville, GA., Cameron Ulysses Johnson, of Douglasville, GA., and Darius Marquis Johnson of Douglasville, GA., sisters; Denita Simpson, Shamel Kemp and Sharel Young, brother; Pierre Simpson.

Funeral Services will be announced later and will be held at Campbell and Sons Funeral Home 124 W Park Avenue Savannah, Ga. 31401. Please send flower arrangements to this address.

Visitation will be Monday, January 25, 2021 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at Clark Funeral Home.

If attending the visitation or service, the staff of Clark Funeral Home highly recommends that a face mask be worn, and that social distancing is practiced to help prevent the spreading of any possible illnesses and to help keep visitors, friends and family members of Mrs. Johnson safe. The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to everyone who may be unable to attend the service in person due to Georgia’s Covid-19 restrictions (no more than 50 people inside the funeral home at one time).

Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA, is honored to care for the family during this difficult time.

Condolences may be left for the family on our website, www.samclarkfuneralhome.com under the Tribute Wall tab.

Paul Thompson, 66

Died January 12, 2021.

Palm Desert High School, Palm Desert, CA

Food Services, Soccer Coach

Local news:

Youth soccer coach Paul Thompson coached players back in 2014 at the Hovely Soccer Park in Palm Desert.

It’s a place where for years he coached, sometimes multiple teams in a single season.

He impacted many lives including Mark Morocco.

Devastated, still crying, don’t know what to think,” said Morocco when talking about Thompson’s death.

Morocco says he first met coach Thompson on a little league baseball field in Cathedral City when Morocco was 7 years old.

He remained friends with Thompson until his death Tuesday at a valley hospital.

Morocco says he was taking sandwiches every other week to Thompson, who was mostly staying at home since the pandemic began.

“They don’t make people like him anymore and they are hard to replace,” said Morocco.

Morocco says one of his favorite memories of Thompson happened last year, when the two joined a group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans giving food, clothing and blankets to homeless people on Skid Row.

Morocco says Coach Thompson once told him that the coach would like to have his name inscribed on a bench at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert and on a bench at Hovely Soccer Park.

At Palm Desert High School, Thompson worked full-time in food services.

A district representative says Thompson was a student favorite and sold food from a cart at lunch time.

Coach Pat Blackburn speaks fondly of Thompson, who also for years shot video of Aztec football games.

“When I think about him I think about giving, you know he just gave himself everyday,” said Blackburn.

Morocco says Thomson was single and did not have family in the area.

But those who knew him and who were touched by him consider the coach family.

“There is a lot of people in the community that are going to be heartbroken,” said Morocco.

Bobby Hulse, 76

Died January 27, 2021.

Norfork High School, Norfolk, AR

Principal

Obituary:

Bobby Dalton Hulse of Norfork, Arkansas, passed away January 27, 2021, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 76. He was born May 25, 1944, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of Benny and Cecil. He married Vicky Kay Mann on December 11, 1970 in Warren, Arkansas and worked as an educator for 55 years. Bobby lived in Norfork since moving from Hermitage, in 1980. He was a member and Deacon at Norfork Baptist Church since August 1980.

Bobby started his teaching/coaching career following his graduation from Henderson State University as a junior high girls basketball coach and history teacher in Hermitage in 1966. There, he coached and met his wife of 50 years, Vicky Kay Mann, which he considered his life’s greatest accomplishment. He and Vicky became parents to Tasha Nicole and Lance Dion in Hermitage, where they built their first home. In 1980, Bobby took a Principal job in Norfork, Arkansas, where he has served many positions within the school and state educational system. He served as Elementary Principal, High School Principal, Coach, Athletic Director, and was considered a mentor, father/grandfather to a countless number of generations from Norfork. We were happy to lend our Bobby D to a community that meant so much to him.

Bobby D, a Dodger fanatic, would also be considered Norfork Panthers biggest fan. It didn’t matter what sport or how far he had to drive, he was there. He enjoyed watching all sports. He loved music of all kinds as well as entertaining his students and faculty at all school events. He had a green thumb like no other. When he wasn’t at a Norfork sporting event or working in his garden, he loved to support his grandkids in whatever activity they were involved.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vicky Hulse of Norfork, AR, daughter, Tasha Harris of Mountain Home, and son, Lance (Shammi) Hulse of Bee Branch; Grandchildren, Satch Harris, Dodge Harris and McGee Harris of Mountain Home; Riley Roberson, Emiley Roberson, Isaac Hulse, Haze Hulse, and Haddi Hulse of Bee Branch; Siblings, Vernon Hulse of Fordyce, Shirley Brooks of Watson Chapel, and Billy Joe (Helen) Hulse of White Hall; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benny and Cecil Hulse, Siblings, JD Hulse, Gene Hulse, Doris Smith, Margie Fikes, Edna Gunther and Don Hulse.

A Funeral Service for Bobby will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 31, 2021, at the Bobby D. Hulse Gymnasium at Norfork High School, with Shannon Byrd officiating. Burial will be in the Galatia Cemetery, Norfork, AR, with Brother Tom Stover officiating. Pallbearers will be Riley Roberson, Satch Harris, Isaac Hulse, Dodge Harris, McGee Harris, Haze Hulse, and Haddi Hulse. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Lynch, Kevin Bodenhammer, Jerry Skidmore, Michael Zick, Darin Hughes, Melvin Small, and Rocky Dodson. Due to current restrictions, masks are required.

Memorials may be made to the Bobby D. Hulse Memorial Scholarship, which has been set up at Twin Lakes Community Bank, 23 Wolf St, Norfork, AR 72658 and Farmers and Merchants Bank, 502 South Hickory, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

Amy Desormeaux, 60

Died January 22, 2021.

Apex Friendship High School, Apex, NC

Media Assistant

Obituary:

Amy Desormeaux, 60, lost her fight to COVID-19 at Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Fayetteville, on Friday, January 22nd, 2021.
Amy was born Amy Jeanette Parker, in High Point, North Carolina, on August 14th, 1960, to her late parents, Jean Jackson Harper and George Thelton Parker I.

She was a graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School, class of 1978, where she was a part of the beta club, president of the junior women’s club, and a cheerleader. Amy then went on to attend North Carolina State University where she received her Bachelors of Art in Business Management. Later she attended National Louis University, earning her a Masters in Education for Curriculum and Instruction. After attending both schools she went on to receive her North Carolina Real Estate License.

Amy was currently working as a Media Assistant at Apex-Friendship High School, where she made many friends, and impacted the life of her students.

Amy had a huge heart, and gave more than anyone ever asked. She was a woman filled with wisdom, and always knew what to do in every situation. Amy loved spending time with her family. In particular, she loved her trips to Disney Parks and Kure Beach. She loved to laugh, and to make her friends and family laugh. She lit up a room with that same laughter.
Amy is preceded in death by her stepfather, Allen Stanfield Harper; brother George Thelton Parker II and his wife Jane, along with other aunts and uncles. Amy is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Mabry Joseph Desormeaux, and daughter Olivia Parker Desormeaux; her sister Stannette Harper; her nieces and nephew, Eliza Weaver Gingras, Amy Leah Weaver, Molly Jeanne Parker, and George Thelton Parker III, and great niece and nephew, Ava and Jackson Gingras, dear friend Sam Boyer; as well as many other family members and friends, whom she loved very much.
During this time of sudden loss, and grief, in lieu of flowers or donations, please share any stories that you have with her, and send them to amymemorybook@gmail.com. This is a way we will remember our Amy on hard days.

Due to concern regarding the pandemic and wanting to spare others what she suffered through, the family has decided to celebrate her life at a later point with a trip to her favorite place, the beach. Amy was loved by many, gone too soon, and her legacy will be remembered.

Sidney Beal Jr., 77

Died December 23, 2020.

Dallas County Schools, Dallas, TX

Bus Driver

Obituary:

SIDNEY BEAL JR. was born on May 2, 1943, in Plaquemine, Louisiana to Lillie Mae Fobbs and Sidney Beal Sr.

He attended school in Iberville Parish in Louisiana during his formative years. During his high school years his mother remarried, and they lived in Kansas. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1969.

After relocating to Dallas, Sidney became a top performing salesman at Miracle Ford, Bankston Ford, Crest Cadillac, and Powell Chevrolet dealerships. He also enjoyed career stints with the Dallas Housing Authority, U.S. Postal Service and Metropolitan Insurance. In August of 1975, Sidney received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Bishop College.

In 1978, he met Carolyn Davis while attending a church service at Concord Baptist Church when it was located at 3410 S Polk. They became friends and joined Concord. In 1979, they decided to date and were married May 2, 1980.

Sidney accepted his call to ministry in August of 1980 during the revival “Joy Explosion”. Thus, his journey of ministry began. He became a staff member of Concord in 1984 under the pastorage of the late Dr. EK Bailey where he served the Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministry from 1984-1997. He received his license to preach the Gospel in February 1986 and was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in September 1987. Sidney enrolled in Dallas Baptist University and received his Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling in December 1991. He served as a Concord Elder 1997-2002. Additionally, Sidney served in the Drama, Hospitality, Premarital Counseling, and Couples Small Groups Ministries at Concord.
In 1998, Sidney followed God’s call to start Sidney Beal Ministries DBA Vision of Hope serving the communities of Rhoads Terrace and Turner Courts in South Dallas. He served there until 2010.

Sidney served on the staff of Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church as the Pastor of Visitation under the pastorage of Rev, Clay Allard from 2010-2013, and the Spiritual Director of the Oak Cliff Great Banquet from 2009-2017.
Upon his retirement from full time ministry, Sidney became a School Bus Driver for Dallas County Schools. At the time of his death, he was a part time School Bus Driver for First Student Cedar Hill.

Sidney’s parents and sister, Edna Beal Price, and brother in law, Wilbert Davis Jr preceded him in death.

Those left to cherish his love and legacy, his devoted wife, Carolyn of 40 years, daughter, Makebia Ann Beal, (Antioch, CA), son, Sidney Beal III (Kew Gardens, NY), daughter, Cheria Clinise Beal, (Cedar Hill, TX), son, Brandon Rashad (Ronna), Beal (Midlothian, TX), son, Joseph Doran Beal, (Garland, TX) and daughter, Taniqua Briana Beal (Dallas ,TX), sister, Deborah (Phillip), Watkins (Baton Rouge, LA), brother Kenneth Beal, (Baton Rouge, LA), one brother in law, Tommy (Linda) Davis (Dallas, TX), one sister in law, Annie Smith, (Shreveport, LA), two sisters in laws, Ella Peterson and Brenda Davis, (DeSoto, TX), twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, special cousins, nieces, nephews, god children, loving friends and special faith children from premarital and

Doug Broste

Died January 11, 2021.

Francis Howell School District, Charles, MO

Bus Driver

Local news:

The family of Francis Howell School District bus driver Doug Broste, who died from COVID-19, said he had been diagnosed with a sinus infection.

He died a week later.

Darla Hollowood said her brother started feeling ill Monday, Jan. 5.

“He called in sick to work,” Hollowood said. “By afternoon he called his doctor and told him what was going on, and his doctor diagnosed him with a sinus infection and called in an antibiotic prescription. So, he was taking antibiotics all week and working with it.”

Hollowood said her brother did not get a COVID-19 test initially.

“No, he was told he didn’t need one because he had a sinus infection,” she said.

A week later, Monday, Jan. 11, Broste was transported to the emergency room.

“Before they moved him to the ICU, he called and said they told him he had COVID-19,” Hollowood said.

He died that same evening.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “He called me at 4:30 and less than six hours later he was gone. We were just blown away. Totally caught off guard. We had no idea.”

Hollowood said her brother’s death comes at an already difficult time for her family. Their mother has health problems after a house fire last year and Broste was caring for her.

Hollowood was asked if she is concerned that her brother may have been around children on the school bus while he had COVID-19.

“The symptoms hit him Monday, Jan. 5,” she said. “So, I hope not. He was one who was very serious about being cautious, because he was caring for my mom, who is high-risk. As a result, he always wore a mask. He always stayed at a distance. He always washed his hands. He told me the first two rows of the bus are empty.”

Francis Howell School District officials said no close contacts were identified as part of the district’s contact tracing process.

The district released the following statement:

“The Francis Howell community was saddened to learn of the passing of one of our own, Mr. Doug Broste, a member of our transportation staff who served the District for many years. He proudly dedicated his time and skills to safely transporting children to schools across the District and will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with Mr. Broste’s family, colleagues, and the students on his bus route as they grieve this incredible loss.”

Family friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the care of Broste and Hollowood’s mother.

Lynda Ables, 71

Died January 24, 2021.

Houston High School, Germantown, TN

Front Office

Obituary:

Lynda Helen Atkinson Ables was born April 21, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, to Blanche and Robert Atkinson. When Lynda was 8 years old, she and her mom and brother Walt (Diane) travelled by train to Little Rock, Arkansas. Her mom later married Ralph Santoro and gave Lynda two more brothers, Matt ( Debbie) and John (Tina). Lynda adored Ralph and considered him her Dad while greatly respecting his knowledge of the Bible. Lynda became a tech in the heart cath lab at the VA Hospital in Little Rock where she met Danny Ables. She and Danny married February 28, 1975. They had two children, Ryan (Renee) and Rachel. The Ables moved to the Memphis area in 1989 and became active in Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, then Bellevue Baptist and finally at Crossroads Baptist in Eads where Lynda taught first grade Sunday School. Lynda served many years on the board of the ministry FLARE (Family, Life, America, and Responsible Education, under God). She was active for decades in Precepts Bible Study and was trained as a teacher in that Bible study method. While Danny was the love of Lynda’s life, it was her three grandchildren, Caden, Palmer, and Alaina that truly stole her heart. Her repeated prayer was that her children and grandchildren would continue to grow in love and service to the Christ she worshipped. She and Danny kept the grandchildren every single Friday night. Lynda was well known at Houston High School where she served as administrative secretary and was recognized as the go to person for everything from documents to prayer requests. Lynda was a quiet, calm and caring friend to more people than can be counted. She had a God-given gift to instinctively discern your needs and would meet them as best she could in her discreet way.

Michael Floyd, 50

Died January 28, 2021.

The Montgomery Academy, Montgomery, AL

History, Track & Field Coach

Obituary:

Mchael Preston Floyd, 50, of Montgomery, Alabama, died Thursday, January 28th, from complications of Covid-19.

He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Shirley Wade Floyd and the late Robert Donald Floyd, Jr. He is survived by his brother Donald Floyd (Lisa), nieces Hailey Floyd, Lindsey Floyd and nephew Samuel Floyd, beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and his faithful furry companion, Jackson.

Michael graduated from E. C. Glass High School and Frostburg State University. After obtaining his degree in History and Education, he went on to teach his favorite subject AP World History, and coach young athletes in track and field, cross country, and pole vault (a special favorite). For the last ten years Michael made his home in Alabama, while serving as teacher and a head coach at The Montgomery Academy. He was devoted to his students and athletes and he worked tirelessly to help them succeed in academics, athletics and life.

Michael found opportunities to serve the broader Montgomery community by organizing and hosting the Race for Hunger Track Meet, which gave students and athletes an opportunity to raise funds to support the Montgomery Area Food Bank.

Michael’s family, friends, students, and colleagues will greatly miss him. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

The Floyd family recommends the following charities for anyone who wishes to make a contribution in Michael’s memory:

The Montgomery Academy Track and Field Program

Montgomery Area Food Bank 521 Trade Center Street Montgomery, AL 36108

Matthew Beaver, 40

Died January 19, 2021.

Knox Middle School, Salisbury, NC

Physical Education, Basketball & Tennis Coach

Obituary:

Matthew Dale Beaver left this earth for his heavenly home on January 19, 2021. Matthew was born November 24, 1980 in Christiansburg, Virginia. Matt married the love of his life, Ruth Voorhis Beaver on June 13, 2015. Matt and Ruthie were blessed with their son, Jackson Dale Beaver (5) and their daughter Ella Joanne Beaver (3). Matthew’s parents are Dale A. Beaver and Marsha Wilhelm Beaver of Rockwell, NC and Dianne Newton Lynch and Douglas Wayne Lynch of Meadows of Dan, VA. Matthew is also loved and cherished by his sister Adina Beaver Martin and husband Michael Dean Martin of New Castle, VA, nephews Alexander Craig Straight (Madison), Andrew Bridgley Straight, and Ethan Michael Martin, as well as uncles, aunts and a host of cousins. Matthew was preceded in death by his infant twin brother Joshua Alexander Beaver.

Matthew graduated from East Rowan High School in 1999. He went on to Graduate from Piedmont Bible College and High Point University with degrees in Health and Physical Education. Matthew was a member of the Piedmont Bible College basketball team. He was recognized by High Point University as the spring 2006 Outstanding Student Teacher and Outstanding Physical Education Major. Matt taught Physical Education and coached basketball and tennis at Knox Middle School and was a member of Charity Baptist Church in Kannapolis. Matthew Dale Beaver loved. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and openly and actively shared that love with everyone he came in contact with. Family, friends, coworkers, students, and strangers all knew that love by the infectious smile and laugh that was always part of Matt’s gift to us all. Matthew Dale Beaver experienced joy. He experienced the joy of his salvation, the joy of his dear family, and now “joy unspeakable and full of glory” with his Savior in heaven. Matt’s desire would be for others to know this love and joy through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Arrangments: A service to celebrate Matt’s life will be held at Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Rd #6402, Kannapolis, NC 28083, at 4:00pm, on Monday, January 25, 2021. Friends and relatives may attend. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are strongly encouraged. The service may also be viewed live stream by going to https://www.charity.church/watch.

Memorials for Matthew may be made to the family at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-husband-teacher-m-beaver or to a charity of your choice. Powles Staton Funeral Home is assisting the Beaver family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.

Todd Schonhar, 57

Died January 26, 2021.

John B. Connally High School, Austin, TX

Physical Education, Football & Track Coach

Obituary:

Todd Lee Schonhar, “Coach Sho”, of Leander, TX passed away on January 26, 2021 at the age of 57. He was born on December 30, 1963 in Newark, Ohio to Charles Lee Schonhar and Katherine Baggs Schonhar. Todd Schonhar married Julia Garrison Barton in 1990 in her parent’s hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married 31 years at the time of his passing.

Todd graduated from Easley High School in Easley South Carolina in 1982. He went to Clemson University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in 1986 and a Master in Education in 1989. Todd played football and baseball at Clemson earning letters in Football in 1985 and 1986 as a reserve Quarterback and Holder and was named to the Academic All-ACC team in 1986. After graduation, Todd was a Graduate Assistant on Danny Ford’s Clemson coaching staff from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently a Graduate Assistant at the University of Oklahoma from 1990 to 1991.

Todd enjoyed a successful career as a college and high school football coach for 34 years. In 1991, Todd and Julia moved to DeKalb, Illinois, where Todd was the Assistant Coach for Running Backs and assisted in Special Team Play at Northern Illinois University until 1998. From 1998 to 2000, he was the Assistant Coach for Receivers at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Todd was also the Varsity Assistant Coach for the 5A Texas State Football Champions at North Shore High School in Houston in 2003. Afterwards, he moved to Tarleton State University to serve as the Offensive Coordinator from 2005 to 2007 and later became the Quarterback coach at Stephen F. Austin from 2007 to 2012. He then moved to Austin, Texas where he was the Quarterback Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Stony Point High School and Offensive Coordinator at Pflugerville Connally High School, both in Austin, Texas. Todd spent his life tirelessly teaching and mentoring his players and students. Todd was able to “connect” with his players and help them thrive and succeed, not just on the football field, but also more importantly in life as leaders.

A gifted athlete, Todd was a scratch golfer and could often be found on the golf course in his spare time and competed for qualification in the 2003 British Open. Recently, he enjoyed volunteering at the WGC Dell Match Play in various roles.

Todd impacted hundreds of people far and wide through his association with teaching, coaching, mentoring and volunteering. He loved to be surrounded by family and was at his happiest when they were near. Todd was well known for his dry wit and sense of humor. He was a master of impersonations and found great joy in making people laugh and smile.

Todd is survived by his wife, Julia Barton Schonhar of Leander, Texas; his parents, Charles Lee Schonhar and Katherine Baggs Schonhar of Easley, South Carolina; his brother Mark and Theresa Schonhar and their children, Drew, Megan, Josh and Lyndy of Easley, South Carolina; and his sister Amy Schonhar Jackson and husband Todd Jackson and their children, Hannah and Abby of Greer, South Carolina; Sisters in law Valerie Barton, Alison Stroh, Jacque Barton and Sara Shulman of Austin, Texas and niece Alison Barton and nephew Ethan Stroh and great niece Mallory.

The Todd L. Schonhar Memorial Scholarship, a non-profit scholarship to honor Todd, provides funds to a deserving student on an annual basis. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please click on this link Todd Schonhar Memorial Scholarship to make a contribution to his fund. Through your generous donations, Todd’s legacy will continue to provide opportunities to students for years to come. Celebration of Life plans will be shared as they are finalized.

Travis Gray, 39

Died January 20, 2021.

Lindale High School, Lindale, TX

Athletic Trainer

Obituary:

Travis went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2021 in Ft. Worth. Travis Allen Gray was born July 8, 1981 in Big Spring, Texas, the son of Tammy Lynn (Payne) Gray. He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1999 before attending Howard Junior College and Midwestern State University for his undergraduate studies in Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine. Travis then graduated with his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He began his extensive career in Athletic Training with the Orthopedic Sports Center in Wichita Falls, then went on to work as an Athletic Trainer at Tyler Junior College for over five years, Head Athletic Trainer for both Brownsboro High School for four years and Chapel Hill High School for two years and most recently worked with the Lindale Independent School District as their Head Athletic Trainer. Travis was an award recipient of the Sandy Miller Most Outstanding Athletic Trainer, the 2016 East Texas Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer of the year and an active member of both the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association and the East Texas Athletic Trainers Association where he served as the Chairman of the Student Trainer Workshop from 2014-2018. Travis also served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Texas State 7v7 Football Championship Tournaments for over 10 years. “Big T” loved his work because he genuinely felt he could make a positive impact in the lives of his students. Off the field he was a wonderful son, husband and father who enjoyed watching his son play sports, being a dance dad with his daughter and traveling to the beach with his family. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his mother; grandmother, Eddie Lou Gray; aunt, Helen Ayers and brother-in-law, Benito “Nuno” Hilario.

Survivors include wife, Rita Gray of Chandler; children, Toby “Rylan” Gray of Chandler, Rhea Isabel Gray of Chandler; brother Toby Dale Gray and wife Heather of Sutton, Nebraska; niece and nephew, Gunner and June Gray; aunt and uncle, Tina and Troy Gray; grandfather, Travis Lamar Gray of Big Spring; mother-in-law, Anita Casillas of Big Spring; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sonyia Melendez and husband Richard, Anthony Hilario and wife Lupita, Barbara Hilario, Tommy Hilario, Richard Hilario and wife Mary, Rudy Hilario and wife Rosa; numerous nieces nephews and a host of other family members and friends.

A visitation will be held from 1-3:00 p.m. Saturday prior to services at Rock Hill. Serving as pallbearers will be Steven “Flaco” Offield, Chuck Smith, Eddy McGuire, AJay Bonner, Mike Ross, Jake Foster, Matt Lawdermilk, Andy Rankin, Richard Melendez, Marcus Melendez, Brent Smith, Justin Waltz, Jason Hooker, Josh Turner, Ryan Hood and Juan Melgoza. Honorary pallbearers with be his Athletic Trainer colleagues.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made to the Tragedy Fund for Travis Gray at any Southside Bank location or to the Lindale Independent School District Education Foundation Travis Gray Memorial Grant. Services were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home Family.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Travis Allen Gray please visit our Tribute Store.

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Ihab Muhanna, 55

Cathy Falkner, 47

Crystal Bennett, 36

Charles Ragland, 74

Charles Wylie, 43

David Lee Carey, 69

Tim Lester, 52

Maude Jones, 64

Hannah Mansell, 26

Deborah Menendez-Holloway, 51

Earl Graham, 72

Anna Botley, 61

Latina Perry, 42

Anthony Cardinale, 51

Andrew Briggs, 57

David Feldman, 65

Paul Lindner Sr., 67

Derrick Johnson, 43

Tom Laythe, 65

Ted Malek Jr., 74

Stacey Williams Sr., 53

Sheree Coccaro, 62

Maria Hernandez, 55

Gabriel Arellano, 39

David Lougee, 53

Marlene Evans, 59

Dinora Mejia

Carlos May-Gamboa, 74

Dana Johnson, 49

Paul Thompson, 66

Bobby Hulse, 76

Amy Desormeaux, 60

Sidney Beal Jr., 77

Doug Broste

Lynda Ables, 71

Michael Floyd, 50

Matthew Beaver, 40

Jeanne Martin, 56

Todd Schonhar, 57

Travis Gray, 39