December 2023

1934 - 2023 My name is Evelyn Ann Dunn Sanderson, and I was born Oct. 3, 1934, in rural Dallas County on Polley Road.

1953 – 2023 Mrs. Doris “Ellen” Graham, 70, of Canton, passed away on Dec 12, 2023, with her family by her side.

1939 – 2023 Funeral services for Peggy Jane “Janie” Thornton, 84, of Edgewood were held on Monday, Dec 18, 2023, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Burial followed at Smyrna Cemetery in Emory.

1967 - 2023 Lorie “HoHe” Lee Jones Isaacs, 56, of Wills Point passed away on Dec. 18, 2023, in Tyler.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Retired Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss of Austin, who is recognized as a Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Law Enforcement and Simulator Consultants Supervisor, was the guest speaker during a special program on First Amendment Audits Dec. 6 at the Van Zandt County/Sarah Norman Library’s Buchanon Room in Canton.

In preparation for the upcoming University Interscholastic League’s District Realignment announcement in February 2024, the UIL released its reclassification high school enrollment numbers Dec. 8 for the 2024-25 and the 2025-26 school years.

russell@themonitor.net The Wills Point Lady Tigers ran out to a 9-0 first-period lead and never looked back against the Eustace Lady Bulldogs during Dec. 8 non-district action, winning 3912.

On Dec. 5, the Canton Eaglettes hosted Martins Mill, the number one ranked team in Class 2A in Texas.

The Van Lady Vandals opened district play Dec. 12 in impressive style as they ran all over Cumberland Academy on the road, 72-26.