Helen Faye West Hawes, 78 years old, of Port Lavaca passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025, while residing at Twin Pines Nursing and Rehab Center in Victoria, Texas.

A devoted mother and homemaker, Helen’s greatest joy was always her family. While she worked a variety of jobs throughout her life, her primary focus was always on those she loved most. She had a lifelong love of reading and watched every western movie ever made.

Though Helen was not part of a specific congregation, her faith was a quiet but constant presence in her life. In her later years, she found joy in collecting crosses during her travels, each one a reflection of her devotion. These crosses, lovingly arranged among family photos on her walls, became a tapestry of the things she cherished most — faith and family.

She is survived by her former husband David Hawes, and their four children: Rachel Jolene Redding of Port Lavaca, Lydia Ann Damon (Dan) of Menard, Christopher David Hawes (Rhonda) of Houston, and Daniel John Hawes of Victoria. She is also survived by her siblings: Virginia Jonckers, Lawrence West (Dianne), John West, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Retha Mae Orsak and Joe West, one sister, Brenda Smetters; grandson, Richard Clyde Hawes; and son-in-law, Bryan Redding.

A celebration of life was held at the Port O’Connor Community Center on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to C.C.S.C.A. Inc., Heritage Center, P.O. Box 128, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 or the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Chelif Junor for his years of dedicated care to our mother, and the staff of Twin Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their patience, kindness and compassionate support during her stay.

Charlie my stainless steel alligator at the 20th anniversary light event in the city of Kronach in Bavaria, Germany.

Pushing one of the two buttons in his nose, Charlie makes alligator sound or plays a sample of crocodile rock.

The eyes glow red and a sensor activates the alligators light wharts on its hide.

Youngsters and adults enjoy this unique creature of 16 foot length.

At this light festival around the Kronach Castle were 60 light installatins to be seen.

About 100.000 visitors come from all over.  -Dieter Erhardt

May 2nd was National Lunch Hero Day

Port O’Connor’s School: Jamie Blanco and Anahi Rodriguez

. Our local schools honored these faithful workers.

Seadrift School has four Superheroes in our cafeteria: Marian Stoddard, Corina Garcia, Maranda Mikolas, and Penny Williamson. Our heroes do not wear capes, they wear aprons!!

 The Syrians had invaded the land of Israel, but they failed to make further progress there. Their designs were so often anticipated that the King of Syria concluded that some one in his army must be spying for the King of Israel. His servants protested saying that the betrayal of the King’s designs were due to the keen sight of God’s prophet Elisha. Hearing this, the King sent horses and chariots and a great army to fetch the prophet, who was in Dothan, a town about an hour from the capital of Seria. The army came at night and in the morning Elisha’s servant rose up and saw the Syrian forces totally encompassing the city. He was rightfully afraid, but Elisha had faith! Elisha prayed that the Lord would open the eyes of his servant, and when his eyes were opened, he saw the much larger force of God’s soldiers surrounding the Serian army! 

 Oh, that we would see the invisible for the hand of God at work in our lives! We often forget that a vision of God at work is the “real deal,” and the sights of our enemies’ work is not the heart of life! We often forget that faith opens the doors of Heaven for us today!

Courage is the need of all humankind. Rightly understood we see the dramatic splendor of the battlefield.  It is seeing the invisible that makes the difference between hope and despair. We often want to cry “uncle!” and give up, but God’s Word declares that “they that are with us are more than they that lie against us!” 

 Because the people of faith can minimize their losses! Faith in the unseen of life, faith in love, faith in righteousness, and faith in truth allows us to tap into the conquering spirit of the living God that lifts us above our circumstances. It shows us the mightier powers at work around us. It kindles the souls of Christians to claim and hold the mastery that they feel in their hearts ought to be theirs and thus they are invincible. I challenge all of us to be people of faith and not of fear! Believe that we serve the Almighty, Who is superior to all else! 

Did you know that poppies have been used as a way to remember those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country? They are worn on Memorial Day (May 26) as this day is THEIR day. We will not forget them.

Helping us remember our great heroes is a lady who lives in Calhoun County. Her name is Debra Houston Holmes. She’s a woman of many talents who loves to give to others. The above picture is just a sampling of her many projects. She hand crocheted these poppies to give away. Our hearts go out to people like Debra who not only love our country, but have a heart for its people as well!  -Tanya DeForest