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Paula Perkins, 54
Died: Saturday, September 03, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Paula Perkins, age 54, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 in Hendrick Hospital's hospice care at the side of her son, his loving companion, and their vigilant friend. Memorial services will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, on Monday, Sept. 5, at 2:00 pm.
Best known as Hawley Middle School's art teacher, Paula Perkins was born to Robert and Gayzelle Perkins on April, 6 1957. She graduated from McMurry University in 1992 with a bachelor of science in Multidisciplinary Studies. She remains an inspiration to hardworking single mothers and all those who struggle against cancer, and she is a muse for all those who have shared her love of art.
Survivors include her son, Justin; sister, Jane; brother, Randy; sister-in-law, Bitty; 2 nieces, Shelly and Kelly, and their loving husbands; great-nephew, Kinsler; a number of cousins, an even greater number of wonderful friends, and her students. She brought beauty, color, and compassion to the world, and she will be missed.
Jean Downs Metcalf, 83
Died: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Jean Downs Metcalf, 83, died Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at her residence in Abilene.
Born in Coleman, Texas on May 18, 1928, Jean was the daughter of Ruth (Durham) and Jesse Smith. She lived in Abilene 30 years before moving to Olney, Texas, where she lived 20 years before returning to Abilene. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands, Bobby Lee Clark and Lewis Metcalf.
Jean is survived by two daughters, Linda Hubbard and friend Thurston Thornton, and Cindy Williams and husband Allen, all of Abilene; two sons, Chuck Downs and wife Caroline of Tye, and Bill Dobbs and wife Sheila of Arkansas; stepson, Lee Clark of Fort Worth; stepdaughter, Cindy Clark; sister, Betty Kuykendall and husband Frank; and the father of her children, Charles Downs of Louisiana. Survivors also include ten grandchildren, Cody Hubbard and wife Whitney, Michael Logan, Madeleine Downs, Maxwell Downs, Brandon Dobbs, Jennifer Jackson and husband D.J., Matthew Dobbs, Taylor Dobbs, Amy Williams and Angela Williams; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, September 2, in Desdemona Cemetery in Desdemona, Texas with Squeaky Walker presiding, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or the donor's favorite charity.
Shirley D. Dutton, 68
Died: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Shirley Darlene Dutton, 68, died Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at an Abilene medical center.
Born in Abilene, Texas on September 29, 1942, Shirley was the daughter of Della and W. K. Hyer. She lived mostly in Abilene and Big Spring, Texas.
Shirley was a homemaker and housewife. She enjoyed her home and loved to shop and decorate it. She enjoyed going to the lake camping and riding the 4-wheelers with her buddy and niece, Vicky Foster. Her greatest enjoyment was her children, grandchildren and friends. Shirley was a Christian.
Her parents, four brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Arthur Dutton of Abilene; sons, Robbie Dutton and wife Judy of Abilene, and Jess Dutton and wife Belinda of Tuscola; five grandchildren, Jake Dutton, Marlie Dutton, Trey Dutton, Sam Edison and Ali Edison; two brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating. Interment will follow in Potosi Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Duncan, Gary Varner, Weston Bartlett, Richard Bartlett, Joe Parsons and Evaristo "Leto" Ambris.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville, Bldg. B, Suite 107, Abilene, TX 79605, or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601.
Cody Russell Magruder, 41
Died: Saturday, August 06, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
On August 6, 2011, Cody Magruder went to be with his Heavenly Father. Cody was born to Donald & Louise Magruder of Skiatook, Oklahoma on May 27, 1970, in Denver, Colorado. He was a resident of Colorado for the first 11 yrs. During his youth he was an accomplished horseman. At the age of 12, his family moved to Oklahoma. After completing college he became a Forester and moved to Abilene, Texas. At the time of his passing, he was employed with Texas AEP as a Utility Forester. Cody was active in both little league baseball and football as a father, a coach, and an inspiration to the youth of Abilene.
Cody is survived by his parents Donald & Louise Magruder of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and a brother Jeb Magruder of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also, his spouse, Tammy Jo of the home, his three sons Austin, Coltin, Christopher and his step son Tanner.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at The River of Life Church. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.
Cody's immediate family are active members of the River of Life Church in Abilene, Texas. Memorials may be sent to The River of Life Church, 539 S. US Hwy 83/84, Abilene, TX 79602.
Cherrie Marie Vanderhider, 71
Died: Thursday, December 29, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Cherrie Marie Vanderhider, 71, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 29, 2011 in Abilene.
The daughter of Mary Alice (Peters) and John Corbett Lott, Cherrie was born on February 4, 1940 in Woodville, Texas and grew up in Sour Lake, Texas. She moved to Liberty, Texas where she met and married Carl Vanderhider on September 7, 1963 at the First Baptist Church in Liberty. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and was an elementary school teacher for a number of years. Cherrie was a homemaker, devoted wife and mother, known for her contagious laugh.
In July of 1982, she and her family moved from Omaha, Nebraska to Abilene, where she was a member of Broadview Baptist Church. Cherrie loved her collection of antique furniture from all over the United States.
She was preceded in death by her son, Carl Jeffrey Vanderhider in 1995; parents; and sister, Yvonne Langston.
Cherrie is survived by her husband, Carl Reed Vanderhider of Abilene; daughter, Russell Ann Wilson and husband Derrick of Trophy Club, Texas; four grandchildren, Cassia Wilson, Alizah Wilson, Heston Wilson and Bethany Vanderhider; a niece, Rosanna Langston; and two nephews, David Langston and Steven Langston, as well as her puppy, Stella.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 2, 2012, at Broadview Baptist Church with Rev. David Cason officiating, assisted by Rev. Burtis Williams. Interment will follow in Buffalo Gap Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 1, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Derrick Wilson, Heston Wilson, David Langston, Steve Langston, Alan Bridgestock, Randy Billings and Ray Germany. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Brown, Don Healow, Jerry Teague and Ron Wiggins.
Memorial contributions in honor of Cherrie may be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or Broadview Baptist Church "Preschool Building Fund", 2500 South 27th Street, Abilene, TX 79605.
Sterling James Ellison Jr., 75
Died: Saturday, January 21, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Sterling James Ellison, Jr., 76, of Abilene, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Beltway Park Baptist Church. David McQueen and Randy Turner will officiate. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Sterling was born April 26, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Sterling James Ellison, Sr. and Ada Gray (Walker) Ellison.
After graduation from Albert G. Parrish High School in Selmar, Alabama, Sterling served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1962 he moved from California to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. Sterling married Sharon Lee Hogan on May 7, 1976 in Abilene. He was a teacher for the Abilene Independent School District for seven years and retired as a Program Manager for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. He also retired after 22 years as music minister for Ridgemont Baptist Church. Sterling was currently a member of Beltway Park Baptist Church, Big Country Emmaus and Gideon's International.
He was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts and a cousin. Sterling is survived by his wife, Sharon Ellison, of Abilene; three sons, David Bontke of Abilene; Patrick Bontke and wife Jessica of Blairsville, PA, Tate Ellison and wife Abbye of Clyde; one brother, Russell Ellison and wife Beverly of Abilene; one uncle, Richard Ellison and wife Dolores of Yucaipa, CA; one aunt, Rachel Chaffee and husband Glen of El Cajon, CA; two cousins, Ron Eubanks and Maida Persons, both of Alabama; and four grandchildren, Truett, Liam and Sophye Ellison, of Clyde, and Payton Bontke, of Blairsville, PA; as well as niece, Tabatha Bales, her husband Jeremy, and their children, Bryson & Briana of Round Rock.
Memorials may be made in honor of Sterling Ellison to Beltway Park "Generations Building Fund" or "Missions Fund" 4009 Beltway South, Abilene, Texas 79606; or to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605.
Robert Allen "Wookie" Edmondson, 47
Died: Sunday, February 19, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Robert Allen Edmondson, 47, of Abilene, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Thursday, February 23, 2012 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Pastor Jeanie Williams will officiate. Burial will follow in the Buffalo Gap Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Robert was born November 20, 1964 to Roger and Clara (Berryhill) Edmondson in Jennings, Louisiana. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1982 and from McMurry University where he worked both on stage and behind the scenes in the theatre department.
Robert worked in broadcasting and media in Abilene for decades. He started at K-TAB in 1984 and worked for the station until 1995. For the past 11 years he had worked in master control for K-TXS, where his co-workers describe him as the kind of guy who would do whatever it took to make sure the meteorologists were able to get on the air when severe weather was approaching. Robert also worked as a disc jockey for many years at KEAN-FM. His voice can still be heard on various advertisements.
Robert loved animals and volunteered with Dr. Allen Bolt and Rescue the Animals. He was an outgoing person and made friends with everyone.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Edmondson; his stepfather, Jack Wilson; one brother, Michael Edmondson; and one sister, Tracey Ann Edmondson.
Robert is survived by his mother, Clara Wilson of Abilene; two brothers, Harold Edmondson and wife Vickie of Abilene, Philip Edmondson and wife Kim of Ft. Worth; two nephews, Michael and Daniel Edmondson; one niece, Heather Knight; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is also survived by his loving canine companion, Katy.
Memorials may be made in Robert's honor to Rescue the Animals, 4620 North 1st St., Abilene, TX 79603.
