May 2023

Jake Shapira (1847-1904) and his wife, Sarah Shapira (18571925), were both Russian-born Jews who arrived in Madisonville 1855. They had a general store and a saloon on the town square. Recognizing the needs of traveling salesmen inspired them to build a boarding house onto the back of their home. The home burned in 1903. Jake stepped on a nail on the eve of a daughter’s wedding, and he died of tetanus three weeks later. Sarah and their son, David, built the Shapira Hotel and opened it in 1904. They ran it together until 1922, when they leased it out and ultimately sold it in 1928. Since that sale, the structure operated as first the Wills Hotel and then the Woodbine. At the time being, it is a restaurant.

Essie May Lotts-Manning, a hard-working and committed woman to anyone she came across, gained her wings May 21, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Lotts and Ethel (Donaldson) Lots; grandparents, Jardon Donaldson and Mary (Polk) Donaldson and brothers, Donald and Elvis Lotts.

Brother Elvis Lee Lotts was born December 5, 1960, to Johnny Lotts and Ethel Donaldson Lotts. He married Inolia Sanches, on March 20, 1982.

A memorial service honoring the life of Allan Elliott, age 64, of Bedias, Texas, was held at 4 P.M., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Bro. Glenn Connor officiated the service.

A graveside service for Bobby Watson, age 85, of Madisonville will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Venetia Cemetery in rural Leon County, Texas.