Obituaries

Ronald Pontius, 74, of Madisonville, Texas passed away December 6, 2020 in Madisonville. He was born December 1945 innac, Michigan to parents, Elmer & Aileen Grace (Endleman) Pontius. He grew up in Mission, Texas where he also graduated from high school. Ronald attended the University of Texas at Pan American where he received both his Bachelors and Master’s degrees. He also served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Funeral services for Woodrow E. Renfro, 92, of Houston, were held 2 P.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas Bro. Carl Williamson and burial followed in Jozye Cemetery.

On February 9, 1945, Jimmy & Nannie Wheaton gave birth to a beautiful baby girl whom they named Pearline. Pearline accepted Christ at an early age at the Little Rock Baptist Church. She later joined twelve others as they became the founders of Lakeview Baptist Church in Madisonville, Texas. Pearline married Rufus Johnson and with this union came three children. Pearline worked at Reed’s Department Store for over thirty years until they closed their doors. She then worked at D&J Storage for ten, plus years. Pearline was very active at her church and in her community. She served on various boards, such as, City Council, CPS, Son Shine Center, West End Cemetery, NAACP and many more.

Eloise King passed away on December 31, 2020 at the age of eightyeight after a years long battle with dementia and is now reunited with her husband of forty-two years, Bobby Jack King. Born to Pierce and Lena Walker in Madisonville, Texas on May 2, 1932, Eloise later spent most of her adult life in Houston, Texas.

Hazel was born June 6, 1937 to Helen Stampley and Emmitt Yates in Bedias, Texas. She died in Bryan, T e x a s after having heart complications on December 11, 2020.

Funeral services for Jerry Sigford, 77, were held 2 P.M., Monday, December 14, 2020 at Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas. Bro. Bo Gunnels and Bro. Jim Bob Gunnels officiated the service. Interment followed in New Salem Cemetery in the Centerview Community of Leon County, Texas.

Homegoing services for Rufus Dean Johnson, Sr., age 76, were held 11 A.M., Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Interment followed in West End Cemetery.

Mattie Bell Hoehne, age 84, passed away peacefully at her home in La Vernia, Texas on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Mattie was born September 19, 1936 in Madisonville, Texas to Thomas Rob and Lucille (Lowry) Waldrip.

Hayden Quinn Martinez was born December 25, 1995 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Throughout his father’s career as a high school football coach, Hayden lived in numerous cities and attended numerous schools but the ones dear to his heart were Warren, Brenham, Somerville, and Iola.