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Minnie Ola Fortson, 94
Died: Friday, September 16, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Minnie Ola Fortson, 94, of Abilene, passed away Friday, September 16, 2011. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 20 at Grace Baptist Church. Pastor Chuck Reynolds will officiate. Burial will be at 2:00 pm in the Cedar Point Cemetery in Brown County. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, September 19 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Minnie was born April 15, 1917 to Willie and Essie Hubbert in Brown County, Texas. She married Leroy Fortson in October of 1938 in Brownwood. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Abilene.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and five siblings. Minnie is survived by three daughters, Leona Joyce Anderson and husband Mike of San Antonio, Jolene Orand and husband Buddy of Anchorage, Alaska, and Barbara Gathright and husband Lyndon of Abilene; 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Gary Anderson, Lyndall Gathright, Craig Anderson, Her grandsons, Grant Orand, Bruce Anderson and LeRon Gathright will serve as pallbearers.
The family would like to express their thanks for the loving caring staff of Hendrick Hospice that gave so much care and love to Minnie.
Memorials may be made to the Development Fund in care of Grace Baptist Church, 1036 Todd Trail, Abilene, TX 79602 or to Hendrick Hospice, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604.
Edward I. Smith, 87
Died: Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Edward I. Smith, 87, died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at an Abilene medical center.
The son of Flora A. (Williams) and William E. "Worth" Smith, he was born in Eliasville, Texas in Stephens County. He graduated from high school in Eliasville in 1941 and attended the University of Wyoming. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1963.
Edward served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, and in the U. S. Air Force, from 1950 to 1969. He was a fighter pilot, having flown missions in both Korea and Vietnam. He served in Germany, Holland, and various assignments stateside, and retired while stationed at Clovis AFB after a 25-year military career.
Mr. Smith was a farmer and cattle rancher in both Eastland and Taylor Counties.
He married Anna Dell Koontz on February 12, 1950 in College Station, Texas. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Abilene.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William R. Smith; and a sister, Marilyn Drew.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Dell Smith of Abilene; sons, William K. Smith of Washington D.C., and Herbert E. Smith of Austin, Texas; a sister-in-law, Rosalia Clemens of Lamesa; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., with Rev. David Cason officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Bickham Cemetery in Brazos County near Bryan, Texas
Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.
Fred Wayne Turnage, 75
Died: Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Life Well Lived
Fred Wayne Turnage, 75, died Saturday, July 23, 2011, at Hendrick Medical Center after a brief illness.
Born in Patrick, South Carolina, on May 20, 1936, he was the son of Ruby Juanita Spears and Fred Wilson Turnage. In 1957, at the Texas State Fair, he met Donell Cole, the love of his life. They married on March 9, 1957, and were married for over 54 years. After his completion of duty in the U.S. Air Force, he moved his family to Texas and made this his home.
After working for Zachary Printing, he put in over 20 years as a printer for Cloud Printing. After retirement, he worked for Abilene ISD, and really enjoyed his time there, as well.
Fred was a member of Clear Fork Baptist Church in Hawley. He was involved with Promise Keepers, and he was a member of the Hawley Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Fred devoted a great deal of his life to coaching his children, grandson and many others in Hawley Youth Baseball. He loved and lived life for his grandkids.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Vernon Turnage.
Survivors include his wife, Donell Turnage of Hawley, four children: Debbie (and Clifford) Smith, Bud (and GayleAnn)Turnage, David Turnage and Marsi Castillo. In addition, Fred is survived by eight grandchildren: Micah Tatum, Rayme (and Mason) Yarbrough, Ryan (and Amie) Turnage, Wayna Turnage, Chelsie Turnage, Cruz Castillo, Brooklyn Castillo and Carmen Castillo; and several great-grandchildren: Austyn Tatum, Paizly Turnage and Gavin Turnage, as well as one on the way; and two sisters, Nancy (and Bo) Polk and Jean Lisenby both of Patrick, South Carolina.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Clear Fork Baptist Church in Hawley with Pastor Larry Tarver officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 25, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Clear Fork Baptist Church, 14116 U.S. 277 South, Hawley, Texas, 79525.
Patricia Ann Hurley, 75
Died: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Patricia Ann Hurley, 75, died Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.
Born in San Antonio, Texas on October 23, 1935, Patricia was the daughter of Edna Estelle (Taylor) and Loyd Comer McMahan. She was a 1953 graduate of John Reagan High School in Houston. She married Ray Hurley in December, 1970. Since 2000, Mrs. Hurley had been a resident of Abilene. She worked as a medical assistant for over 50 years, and was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Hurley in 1982; mother, Edna Whitehead; father and stepmother, Loyd McMahan and Mag Metzger; infant sister, Millie Jean McMahan; and brother, Mickey McMahan.
Survivors include her son, Randy Earl Walker of Mason, Texas; grandsons, Justin Harold Walker of Wimberley, Texas, and Jeffrey Ray Walker and wife Lena of Stephenville; sister, Erlene White of Abilene; and brother, Mike Metzger McMahan and wife Araceli of Houston.
A graveside service and interment of cremains will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 29, in Gooch Cemetery in Mason, Texas, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association, 149 N. Willis, Suite 10, Abilene, Texas 79603, or Texas Special Olympics, 500 Chestnut Street, Ste 1821, Abilene, TX 79602.
Xena Yvonne "Vonne" Jones, 84
Died: Monday, May 30, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Xena Yvonne "Vonne" Jones, 84, of Abilene, passed away Monday, May 30, 2011 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Rev. Stan Allcorn and Dr. Jeff Reid officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 pm at the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell, Texas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Vonne was born August 1, 1926 in Foard City, Texas to Pete McLain and Almeda (Ray) McLain. She graduated from Crowell High School in 1943 and attended Hardin Simmons University for two years. Vonne married Martin F. Jones in Crowell, Texas on March 8, 1947, whom she spent 64 years with, living and loving life. Vonne and Martin owned and operated Crowell Super Save Grocery Store. They moved from Crowell to Hale Center in 1973 where they lived for 30 years before moving to Abilene. Children and grandchildren loved her dearly and were richly blessed because of her life. Vonne was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Almeda McLain; three sisters, Ima Sparks, Treva Spears and Floy Garrett; and one brother, Ray Austin. Vonne is survived by her husband, Martin Jones of Abilene; three daughters, Deborah Wilder and her husband Ken of San Antonio, Carolyn Abbott of Abilene, Angie Wiley and her husband Dr. Rob Wiley, also of Abilene; one brother, Clinton "Bud" McLain and his wife June of Crowell; one sister, Donna Young of Houston; seven grandchildren: Amy Fox, Molly Fox, Laura Lara, Luke Abbott, Kristen Wiley, Marcus Wiley and Elizabeth Wiley; two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Rossi Lara; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy Jean Shaw Parker, 88
Died: Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Dorothy Jean Shaw Parker passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Hendrick Hospice Care. Her four surviving children held her hands as she left a life well lived here on earth and joined her other two children, David and Nancy, and others that had gone before her in heaven. A memorial service celebrating her remarkable life will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011, at the First Baptist Church in Abilene with Dr. Robert Sloan officiating; assisted by Dr. Phil Christopher. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Born July 14, 1922, in Lamesa, TX, Dottie was the daughter of the late Millard and Bertha (Taylor) Shaw and moved to Abilene in 1927. At five years old, she started singing with her sister Geraldine (Gerri) Shaw Weatherby. They won competitions early in life and in 1935 won the Chevrolet Amateur Contest. In the late 30's, she sang in a trio with sister, Gerri, and Rosalie Grimes on a Sunday afternoon program at the Hilton Hotel radio station. In 1945, NBC offered them a professional recording contract. She chose to devote her life to family and children instead.
Dottie graduated from Abilene High School in 1939 where she was the first freshman ever elected as Flashlight Queen and was Roadshow Princess for three years. She graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1942 with a degree in music theory. She was vice-president of HSU Freshman Class; president of Cowgirls her senior year; substitute White Horse rider, Who's Who in 1942, and in Players and Acapella Choir. In 1972, she completed her Masters of Education at HSU.
After college graduation, Dottie taught music at Abilene High School for three years where other teachers often confused her with the students because she was so young. She was with the Abilene Independent School District for 25 years. The first five, she taught children with learning disabilities at Dyess Elementary School; then for 19 years she served as a favorite early childhood and special education supervisor, mentoring and coaching teachers. She was passionate about the uniqueness of each student and helping them reach their full potential.
Just a few days shy of 76 years, Dottie's First Baptist Church membership had been the longest in the church's history. She served as a deacon since 2002; founding Program Board Member of GLO (God's Little Ones) Daycare; taught three-year-old Sunday School for 25 years, directed children's choirs, sanctuary choir member for 55 plus years, member of the church organ committee, personnel committee, and vice president of WMU (Women's Missionary Union).
At HSU, she served as a member of the Alumni Board and Board of Development; and patroness of SAI, women's music fraternity. She received the Keeter Alumni Service Award in 2004, the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus.
In the Abilene community, she was a longstanding member and former president of the Harmony Club; served with Habitat for Humanity from 1991-1998 and interviewed applicants for homes; longstanding member of Junior League of Abilene and was a Master Gardener. She also sang in the Garden Gate Quartet for the first fundraiser for West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Even in her mid-eighties she spent her days providing homemade bread and desserts to friends and shut-ins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Millard and Bertha Shaw; her siblings Millard Shaw, Jr., Guy W. Shaw, and Gerri Shaw Weatherby; her husband of 59 ½ years, James (Jimmy) Parker, Jr.; and two children, David Shaw Parker and Nancy Jean Parker. Husband Jimmy was the "Southwest Stockman" covering farming and ranching news for KTXS-TV and radio stations for 40 years.
Dottie is survived by four children - Cynthia (Cindy) Parker Parker, Dr. James (Jim) Parker, III, Susan Parker Montalvo, and Dr. Elizabeth Jo Parker; David's wife and daughter-in-law DeLynn Speck Parker. She also was most proud of all of her nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She treated all the grandchildren as her favorite. She loved making popcorn balls and chocolate pies for them. She always attended as many of their programs and special events as possible.
Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her children and extended family. Her love of family revolved around church and gathering family as often as possible. Her famous Sunday dinners welcomed everyone and is a tradition carried on today by her children. She never met a stranger and saw the good in all, taking a special interest in each person. From widows, college students, newly marrieds, singles and anyone who needed a family, Dottie "adopted" them all.
We have been blessed and strengthened by her presence, joy of life and unconditional love. Her love and legacy will affect generations and we cannot imagine a world without her in it.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dorothy J. Shaw Parker Endowed Music Scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University, PO Box 16100, Abilene, TX, 79698
