Vera Ann Mitchell Strong passed away Oct. 16, 2023, in Fort Payne, Alabama. She was born March 23, 1943, in Fort Stockton, Texas. Her parents were B.E. Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Oates.
Vera Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond Strong; two sons, Mitchell and Tommy, and brother, J.B. Mitchell.
She is survived by daughters, Denise Henderson and Rae Ann Helms, both of Fort Payne, Alabama; sister Nancy Hammond of Fort Stockton, nine grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

The Fort Stockton City Council heard presentations from city staff at its Oct. 10 meeting, including an update from police chief Ernesto Valasquez and public works director Luis Guerra. Guerra updated the council on the progress of various paving projects across Fort Stockton.

“We paved 676,296 square feet,” Guerra said. “Materials used was the equivalent of 6.7 miles. We used 1,696 tons of aggregate, 34,012 gallons of paving oil, 1,862 tons of base material.”

Herman Ramos, a lifelong resident of Fort Stockton, was born May 28,1926 and passed away on Oct. 6, 2023, in League City, Texas. To many, he was a source of guidance and support, and his warm smile and gentle demeanor left an indelible mark on the lives of all fortunate enough to know him.

Visitation to celebrate Herman's rich life will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at Eternity Funeral Home, 600 East Dickinson Boulevard.