YOAKUM: Emma M. Lee, 87, passed away on October 23, 2025. She was born on October 7, 1938, in San Antonio, TX, to George Clarence Henderson and Cora B. (Mooney) Henderson.
She was a homemaker and in her earlier years she worked for the telephone company in Los Angeles, CA. Emma was known for her beautiful smile and enjoyed the music of Tom Jones and Johnny Mathis. She was quite the dancer and was a ballerina for several years. Her love of music included attending the opera. Emma also played softball and was known as “Shot-Gun Henderson”, for her ability to throw the ball. Emma will be missed terribly by those who knew and loved her.
Survivors are her son, Keith Lee (Karetta) of Yoakum and the state of Florida; daughter, Judy Lee of Yoakum; grandchildren Sable Lee, Lamar Lee and Onell Lee; five great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her husband, Roger Lee; her parents; and eight siblings—Jim Henderson, Meryl Glascow, George Henderson, Gordon Henderson, Fred Henderson, Frank Henderson, Blanche Gant, and Carl Henderson.
Funeral Service to be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, on November 5, 2025, at 2 p.m., where she will be laid to rest with her late husband, Roger Lee.
CUERO, TX — The energy is building, the colors are flying, and the Gobblers are ready to charge into Friday night lights. On Thursday, November 7, Cuero High School will host a Senior Pep Rally at 2:18 PM in The Roost.
This isn’t just any pep rally—it’s a Class Color War showdown, with each grade decked out in their designated hues:
Freshmen (9️⃣) – Red
Sophomores (🔟) – Purple
Juniors (1️⃣1️⃣) – Blue
Seniors (🎓) – White
The rally will spotlight the Class of 2025, giving every senior a chance to participate and shine. From chants and cheers to surprise performances, the event promises to be a high-energy sendoff as the Gobblers prepare to face Robstown on the gridiron.
Adding to the excitement, senior parents and families are warmly invited to attend and celebrate their students’ final year of high school spirit. It’s a moment to honor their journey, their leadership, and their legacy.
Whether you’re a proud parent, an alum, or a community supporter, this is your chance to show up, show out, and show what Gobbler pride is all about.
Let’s pack The Roost, wear your class colors, and make some noise—Go Gobblers!
SHINER: Jewell Smith, 68, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 16, 1957 in Beeville to the late Floyd Smith Sr and Bessie (Dvorak) Smith.
She was a beloved lifelong partner of 45 years with Dale Dolezal, a great sister, aunt and friend to many. Jewell worked as a cosmetologist who later on worked at Howard’s, just to pass time, but also enjoyed going there to drink a “Beast” and talk to all her friends. Anyone who knew Jewell, knew that she was always willing to help others. One of her favorite things was on Saturdays, when she would get with her sisters and play games and go get their weekly lottery tickets or take a fun trip to Louisiana.
She is survived by her sisters, Brenda Leck (Robert), Janet Satterfield, Vickie Fric (Daniel) and brother, Floyd Smith Jr (Janine); 17 nieces and nephews, as well as numerous extended family. We cannot leave out her 2 beloved fur babies, Spanky and Omar.
She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd Sr. and Bessie Smith; her lifelong partner, Dale Dolezal, nephew, Dustin Smith; great-great niece, Serenity Gray and brother-in-law, Bill Satterfield.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
YOAKUM: Neita Ward passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the age of 78. Neita was born in Houston, Tx to the late Leslie and Dorothy (Sims) Rutland.
Neita is survived by her husband of 35 years, Michael Ward; Neita’s children, daughter, Pam Konvicka and husband Mark and son, Kenny Reed and wife Wendy; Michael’s children, daughter, Jacque Pasqua and husband Lawrence and son, Chad Ward. She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Hancock and brother Leslie Rutland and lastly her 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Neita is proceded in death by her parents and her sister Dorothy Turner.
A private burial for family will be held.
Pallbearers are John Ward, Zach Ward, Philip Ward, Keegan Ward, Dan Ward and Jacob Pasqua.
The Board of Trustees of the Yoakum Independent School District has officially ordered a Tax Ratification Election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The election will allow registered voters in DeWitt, Gonzales, and Lavaca Counties to decide whether to approve the District’s adopted ad valorem tax rate of $1.04385 per $100 of taxable property value.
What’s on the Ballot?
Proposition A asks voters to ratify the District’s current tax rate, which includes:
A debt service rate of $0.34695
A maintenance and operations rate of $0.69690 (the legal maximum under current Texas law)
Despite the ballot language stating “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE,” the proposed rate actually reflects a decrease in maintenance and operations tax revenue—down 10.5920% from the previous year, amounting to a reduction of approximately $1.29 million.
The funds are intended to support District salaries and instructional enhancements.
Voting Details
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Early Voting: Dates, times, and locations will be listed in Exhibit A of the official order and may be updated as needed.
Vote by Mail: Applications must be received by October 24, 2025. Voters may submit applications via mail, fax, or email—but must also mail the original if faxed or emailed.
Election Oversight
The election will be conducted jointly with other political subdivisions and administered by election officials in each county:
DeWitt County: Deidra McCollum
Gonzales County: Gwen Schaefer
Lavaca County: Tenia Hudson
Each county will appoint poll workers, translators, and tabulation staff as required by law. Materials will be available in English, Spanish, and other necessary languages.
Legal Notes
The Board confirmed that the election complies with Texas Education and Election Codes, including recent legislation (Senate Bill 1025) and disaster-related exemptions. The order also allows for technical adjustments and joint election agreements to ensure smooth execution.
YOAKUM: Mary Alice Hamett passed away on October 21, 2025 at the age of 86. She was born January 4, 1939 in DaCosta, Texas to the late Earl Neisser and Maude (Shannon) Neisser Rypple.
Alice was a strong determined woman who was not afraid of hard work. She loved quilting and crocheting.
Survivors are her sons, Ronnie Guy Maynard and Randy G. Maynard and daughter, Yvette Hausmann and husband, Charles; 2 grandchildren, Emily and Erin Hausmann; nieces, Julie L. Hahn and Shannon Foley (Jason); nephews, Russel Johnson (Sharon) and Rick Johnson (Jamie).
Alice is preceded in death by her parents Earl Neisser, Maude Neisser Rypple and step-father, Edwin L. Rypple; sisters, Helen Baker, Bessie Hahn and Rebecca Rypple; nephew, Roger Johnson.
Private family service to be held at a later date.
By Pat Trevino | November 3, 2025 Cuero Online News
CUERO, TEXAS — The grounds of the Proctor-Green House were filled with friends, neighbors, and guests who traveled from near and far to honor Robert Leon Oliver. Cowboys and cowgirls in boots and hats stood alongside doctors, lawyers, artists, authors, business owners, neighbors, and lifelong friends. Some came from across town, others from across the state, all drawn to the same place by a shared connection to Robert Leon Oliver—a man whose generosity and vision helped shape the cultural heart of Cuero. Founder, benefactor, and guiding force behind the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, Robert’s legacy was woven into every corner of the gathering.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Guests mingle near the museum grounds during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—an afternoon marked by heartfelt tributes, shared memories, and the enduring spirit of community in Cuero, Texas.
Beneath the sprawling oaks, they came together not out of formality, but from the quiet pull of a man who moved easily between worlds, making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and part of something lasting. Family stood alongside friends, colleagues beside admirers, each one part of the wide and welcoming circle he had a way of creating around him. At 4 p.m., as golden rays filtered through the branches and the cool air carried a whisper of rain, the celebration of Robert’s life began. It was, like him, joyful and deeply moving—a tribute to a man who brought people together to build a legacy.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Guests share a quiet exchange during the celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—an afternoon of reflection and community beneath the oaks in Cuero, Texas.
Oliver, born in Refugio in 1949 and raised in Cuero, was a man of dual devotions: to the land and to the legacy it carried. His passion for South Central Texas ranching culture was not nostalgic—it was architectural. He didn’t just preserve history; he curated it, codified it, and gave it a home. From 1998 to 2001, he chaired the Cuero Heritage Museum, curating exhibits with the precision of a scholar and the warmth of a host. By 2000, he had rallied stakeholders to establish the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, navigating bylaws, capital campaigns, and restoration efforts with the quiet tenacity of someone who knew that memory, like masonry, requires structure.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Left to Right Guests Isabel Patton, Cynthia Orozco, and Angie B. enjoy a relaxed moment during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—gathered in fellowship, reflection, and gratitude on the museum grounds in Cuero, Texas.
The museum opened in 2013, but its true opening was in the hearts of those who walked through its doors and saw not just artifacts, but themselves. Oliver’s vision expanded beyond the museum walls to include Peebles Park, the Steen Roundabout, and a future annex for Native American artifacts and Western art. He saw history not as something to archive, but as something to share, celebrate, and experience together.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Nessun Dorma – Turandot, ActIII, Giacomo Puccini
Saturday’s ceremony reflected the heart of Robert’s vision—community, culture, and connection. Rick Bluntzer, Chairman of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum Board of Directors, welcomed guests, followed by a stirring musical offering: Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, Act III. The aria soared through the trees, setting the tone for a program that was both elegant and heartfelt.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Will Oliver delivers a heartfelt tribute during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—honoring his relative’s enduring impact on Cuero’s cultural and community landscape.
Then came the voices of family and friends. They spoke not in eulogy, but in testimony—Will Oliver, Kathy Oliver, Jeff Steen, and Patricia Muir. Their words moved between laughter and tears, weaving childhood memories with adult admiration. They recalled family dinners where the table was surrounded not just by loved ones, but by culture—Spanish music, jazz, classical compositions, and sounds from around the globe—offering a window into different worlds. There were stories that made the crowd smile, and moments of quiet stillness, when the weight of loss settled gently over the gathering. It became clear that Robert had not only shaped a museum—he had shaped the people around him. Their words painted a portrait of a man whose mentorship and generosity were as expansive as the Texas sky. And it was clear, too, that his happiness brought them happiness—especially in the life he shared with his beloved partner. To see him happy filled them with joy.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Guests gather in front of the Proctor-Green House during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—an afternoon of remembrance, fellowship, and shared gratitude in Cuero, Texas.
A reading of George Bernard Shaw’s The Torch followed, a fitting metaphor for Robert’s life and legacy:
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy… Life is no ‘brief candle’ for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Jeff Steen reflects on family stories and history during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—drawing on the knowledge his relative helped preserve for generations.
Gina Holcomb and Diana Thibodeaux read Maya Angelou’s When Great Trees Fall, and the metaphor landed with quiet force. Oliver was one of those trees.
“…Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.”
A special moment came when Bill Blackwell announced a matching gift from the Cuero Community Foundation to support the museum’s expansion—a fitting tribute to Robert’s enduring dream of creating spaces that bring people together to learn, celebrate, and connect.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Rick Bluntzer speaks from the podium during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy, announcing a generous contribution to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum by longtime supporter Bill Blackwell.
The clouds held tight to the promise of rain as Rick Bluntzer and Sharon Weber raised a toast—not to an ending, but to a legacy. Guests were invited to enjoy refreshments and wander the museum grounds, including Peebles Park and the Steen Roundabout—spaces Robert Leon Oliver helped shape not just with vision, but with love. These places, like the museum itself, stand as living testaments to his belief that history should be experienced, shared, and carried forward. As the afternoon unfolded, guests lingered in conversation, laughter, and quiet reflection. And then, as the crowd thinned and most had made their way home, the long-promised rain finally arrived—soft drops falling over Cuero, closing the celebration with a blessing the land had been waiting for.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Sharon Weber and Rick Bluntzer raise their glasses in a toast during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy—honoring his vision, generosity, and the community he helped build.
As Cuero mourns the loss of one of its most visionary sons, it also celebrates a life that gave so much—generously, joyfully, and with deep intention. Robert Leon Oliver didn’t just build a museum; he built a legacy of belonging, one that will continue to echo through the halls of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum and in the hearts of all who knew him.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) A massive oak tree anchors the front lawn of the Proctor-Green House—its wide canopy offering shade and quiet strength during the November 1, 2025 celebration of Robert Leon Oliver’s life and legacy.
Donation cards were available for those who wished to contribute, and gifts may still be made by mail to: Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, 302 N. Esplanade Street, Cuero, TX 77954
Lovel Artice Blain, III entered Heaven to be eternally healed on Friday, October 31, 2025. Our hearts are broken, but we are forever grateful for God’s healing.
Lovel’s life began in Cuero on October 11, 1946, as God Blessed Lovel Artice “Dicky” Blain, II (preceded) and Caroline Serino Blain with their first born son. Lovel grew up in Yorktown where he learned to love the country. His love for family began with his siblings, Patricia Nelson, Robert “Bobby” Blain, and Janet Cooper (preceded). In his youth and adolescent years, Lovel took pride in his musical talent, playing the saxophone, gained his confidence and strength through athletic talent, playing all sports for the Yorktown Wildcats, and worked many jobs to help his family and enjoy life.
The magic of Lovel’s life shown as God brought the love of his life, Avis Ann Blain to him in 1985. Their love story has been a true inspiration to their children and grandchildren, and Lovel was the best role model of love! Lovel and Avis Ann were married October 12, 1985, and he fulfilled his calling to be a father and selfless caretaker of his family. Lovel Artice “Buck” Blain, IV was his only son, and Lovel became a loving father to his three daughters, Avis Lynn Jalufka (Gabe), Amanda Rose Rickman (Clayton), and Alexis Ann Cooper (Justin). His genuine love for his family will be cherished forever. Along with his loving wife and children, Lovel gave his heart and soul to his 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandson, Justin Braylon Blain, Alexandra Jessica Blain, Avis Gabrielle Montgomery (Matthew), David Utah Jalufka, Rancher DeWitt Jalufka, Ashtyn Rose Draper, Hunton Callon Rickman, Daizy Ray Rickman, Jaydie Blain Cooper, Cash Cleo Cooper, Hope Ann Cooper, Grace Ann Cooper, and Judah William Montgomery. His grandchildren will cherish the love and support their Papa offered to them, always.
Lovel was a true cowboy, steward of the land, and caretaker of animals. He was forever grateful for his work family that made his dreams a reality. The Crozier Family, Knandel Family, and Chico Korth Family were loyal Landlords and friends for the past 50 years, and Dr. Crozier gave Lovel the opportunity to fulfill his purpose in his career.
Lovel was deeply active in his community and a devoted supporter of youth programs. He was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Meyersville, where he served as Superintendent of Sunday School and as a teacher. His dedication extended to many local organizations, including the Meyersville School Board, the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department, the Cuero Gobbler All-Sports Booster Club, and the Cuero Livestock Show Board. He was also a proud member of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, a strong advocate for R-Calf and a dedicated supporter of the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association.
Lovel was honored to receive the Cuero Livestock Show Honoree Award, the Cuero Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Achievement Award, and the 2025 Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum Cowboy of the Year Award.
Lovel Blain, Papa, will always be remembered for his Life, Lessons, and Legacy
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. beneath the beautiful oak trees at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life and fellowship following interment at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.
Pallbearers include Gabe Jalufka, Clayton Rickman, Justin Cooper, Justin Blain, Utah Jalufka, Rancher Jalufka, Cash Cooper, and Hunton Rickman.
Honorary Pallbearers include Alexandra Blain, Gabrielle Jalufka, Ashtyn Draper, Jaydie Cooper, Hope Cooper, Grace Cooper, Daizy Rickman, Stayton Weldon, Erroll John Deitze, Tooter Flack, Finley Blackwell, Dutton Lane, Bill Braden, Mark Doehrman, Buzz Jacoby, David Garcia, Robert Walsh, Johnny Blackwell, Steve Urbanovsky, Karl Kuecker, Marvin Cantrell, Ted Avant, Joe Adams, Ricky Gohmert, and Harlan Metting.
Honorary Family includes The Crozier Family, The Chico Korth Family, and The Knandel Family.
Our greatest love and thank you to Dr. Jennifer Gonzales and Hospice of South Texas, Dr. Ty Meyer, and all of the staff at the Dornburg Center for Compassion in Victoria, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Dornburg Center for Compassion – 1005 Mallette Drive, Victoria, Texas 77904 or The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, Cuero.
