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Donna Irene Jay, 78
Died: Monday, September 19, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Donna Irene Muffett Jay, 78, of Abilene, passed away Monday, September 19, 2011 at a local hospital. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A second visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Higginbotham Funeral Home, 219 West Roberts in Gorman. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 pm in the Gorman City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene.
Donna was born October 29, 1932 in Hammond, Indiana to Arnold and Margaret (Buchman) Muffett. She lived most of her life in Texas. Donna married William "Bill" Jay in Ft. Worth, Texas on May 4, 1956. They were married for 55 years. Donna was a beloved wife and mother. She loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her intimate friends were extremely important to her. Donna enjoyed redecorating and painting.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Billy A. Muffett. Donna is survived by her husband, Bill Jay; her daughter, Phala Jay; her son, William Kelly Jay and wife Christi, all of Abilene; her sister-in-law, Janet Muffett of Monroe, Louisiana; her brother-in-law, Thurman Jay of Gorman; four grandchildren, Jacky Jay, Tana Allmand and husband Robert, Lauren Fowler and husband Ryan, Kasey Jay; five great-grandchildren, Jordan Allmand, Colten Allmand, Brennan Allmand, Truett Fowler and Linkan Jay; as well as many nephews and nieces by choice.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, (ATTN: Frann Smith) 3109 Over St., Abilene, TX 79605.
"Life is but a stopping place
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road
To sweet Eternity,
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay . . .
Our destination is a place
Far greater than we know,
For some, the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward
And find an everlasting peace
Together with the Lord."
Faye Deffebach, 87
Died: Wednesday, February 22, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
Faye C. Deffebach, 87, died Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at Wesley Court in Abilene, Texas.
Born in Cisco, Texas on October 16, 1924, Faye was the daughter of Dovie (Brown) and Edward L. Callarman. A graduate of Cisco High School, she received a degree from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and her Master of Education degree from Hardin-Simmons University. She taught 7th and 8th grade History in Snyder ISD for 43 years. In 1988 Faye moved from Snyder to Abilene where she was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Faye married Thomas M. "Tommy" Deffebach on May 27, 1956 in Snyder. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy, on August 6, 1995; son, Mike Deffebach in 1968; parents; and five brothers, James, Neil, George, Elbert and Eldon Callarman.
Survivors include one brother, David Callarman of Cisco; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Tempie Kirk of Abilene.
A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, in Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco with Dr. Linda Susan Mitchell, minister of First United Methodist Church in Cisco, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Faye will be available for viewing on Friday, February 24, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Following the graveside service on Saturday, the family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church, 405 W 8th Street in Cisco, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church Television Ministry, 525 Beech St., Abilene, TX 79601.
Beatrice Ann "Bea" Duggan, 75
Died: Saturday, March 24, 2012, in Abilene, Texas
After making an almost miraculous recovery from several major health issues that could easily have caused her death over the last year and a half, our beloved Bea Duggan instead surprised us all by dying suddenly on Saturday, March 24, from head injuries suffered in a fall in her home.
Visitation and prayer service will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29th at the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 30, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Fred Nawarskas officiating. Interment will follow at 12 noon in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.
Born January 14, 1937 in Currie, Minnesota, Bea was the oldest of six children born to Arnie and Mary Paal. She grew up on a farm (where she hated the chickens) and attended St. Catherine's College in St. Paul. She met Larry Duggan, her husband of 54 years, on St. Patrick's Day in 1955. They were married two years later on December 28, 1957 in Waconia MN, on a day the temperature never got above 12 below zero.
Larry's career as an Air Force Officer took them across the country, until they settled in Abilene, TX (a considerably warmer place), where they raised their family and have lived for more than 45 years. Bea and Larry were founding members of Holy Family Parish, where they established deep roots for their children and cultivated a family of friends that have supported them all their lives. More than any other thing, her friends and family know Bea through her steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and her love of the Catholic Church, both of which were seen every day in her words and actions.
Bea was a life master at bridge (she was excited to win playing in a bridge tournament on the Wednesday before she died), a real estate broker (she loved families and putting them into homes). She was a competitive bowler, golfer, and a pretty mean cribbage, spades and hearts player, not to mention spoons, Kings and any game she could play with her grandkids. It was never so much that she hated to lose as that she loved to win. Bea loved storytelling, even when the joke was on her. She laughed and loved, rejoiced, sorrowed and supported us in good times and bad with her whole and open heart.
Bea's life is celebrated and honored by her husband Larry, by their children Kelly and Mike Murray of Dallas, Mary Duggan of Midland, Kevin and Whitney Duggan of Keller, Sean and Amy Duggan of Lubbock, and Molly and Jeff Lightsey of New Braunfels; grandchildren Laura, Katie, Shannon, Melissa, Liam, Frank, Colin, Clay, Nora, Hunter, Ellie, Mary, Erin, Clark, Marlee and grandbaby 16 due in July; and by many other family members and friends too many to count.
We love you Mom, we miss you, and we can only hope to live up to your example.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pregnancy Resources of Abilene, 2110 North Willis, Abilene Texas, 79063 or Meals on Wheels, P O Box 903, Abilene, TX, 79604.
Irene Pope, 89
Died: Sunday, October 09, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Irene Pope, 89, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her residence in Abilene, Texas.
Irene Tyler Pope was born April 18, 1922, to Travis William Tyler and Berton Johnson Tyler in Burkburnett, Texas, during the oil boom. She graduated from Henrietta High School and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. She took and enjoyed theology classes at McMurry University. Irene's mother died when Irene was 15 years old. Irene married William A. (Bill) Pope in 1941. After graduation from Texas Tech, Bill and Irene moved to Louisville, Kentucky, so Bill could work in the war effort as an engineer for the airplane industry. Irene was secretary to the boss at B.F. Goodrich Synthetic Rubber Plant. Bill and Irene had their first child, Billy, in Louisville, in 1944.
Bill and Irene came to Abilene in 1945 where Bill was the stuctural engineer for David S. Castle Architects and Engineers. Their second child, Gage, was born in 1958. Irene and Bill were actively involved in Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church and worked on three or four building campaigns to construct the beautiful church. For years Bill and Irene were sponsors of EYC (Episcopal Young Churchmen) and managed several church related youth organizations.
Irene was in the Altar Guild during the tenures of The Rev. Dr. Wallis P. Gerhardt, Edward P. Dentzer, William Eastburn (St.Marks), David Puckett, James Folts, Scott Mayer, and Luke Back. Working with The Rt. Rev. Bishop George Quarterman, Irene was one of the founders of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She taught church school and was Chairman of the United Thank Offering and spoke in most of the churches in the Diocese of Northwest Texas. She attended General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and presented the UTO offering. She was Hospitality Chairman for Heavenly Rest where she arranged and decorated for the church social functions. Irene was co-chairman for the Episcopal Church's Northwest Texas Diocese Convention in Abilene.
Irene was one of the founders of Christ House Day Nursery. She was on the Board of Directors, screened the applicants, kept books on their fees, and taught a Christian Education class every Friday for 17 years. She adored the children and Allie Ward, the directory.
Irene was on the Board of Directors for Pastoral Care and Counseling for many years. She was a member of the Junior League and enjoyed sewing costumes for children's theatre. Irene was a chaperone in Vienna, Austria, for the "International Youth and Music Festival" in 1976. When one of the youth became ill and could not raise the necessary funds, Irene did so for the student, then went as her chaperone, allowing the student to attend. Of this festival, Conrad Bratton recalled, "The women had iced tea at the Inter-Continental Hotel."
Irene was President of the Philharmonic Guild in 1979. She and Bill were on the Abilene Philharmonic Board of Directors for many years during the Maestro George Yeager era. Together they had fun decorating many Philharmonic Balls. After being taught how to make paper bougainvilleas by Rosie Bowyer and Jerry Skinner, they made thousands for the Philharmonic Balls. Her largest project was a striking Dallas Skyline backdrop that was 30' tall, 90' long, and 20' deep for the Texas Extravaganza Ball. It was made from refrigerator boxes, and Eddie Hodge's sail boat box and assortment of boxes transformed into an elegant edifice, complete with lights and windows and painted by Abilene artists. She started this project in October and finished in February. The National Hospital Association purchased this display for their National Convention at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas. They requested that Irene have it erected so she took a crew of Bill Pope, Nelda and Eddie Hodges, Janie and Holman King, and Susan and Sam Reeves.
It took two 18-wheeler trucks to transport all to Dallas. Irene received the "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" award from the Abilene Cultural Affairs in 1987.
Irene was Registration Chairman for T.A.S.O. (Texas Association of Symphony Orchestra) state convention in Abilene three times. She kept the Philharmonic Association History and beautiful scrapbook for eight years. The Golden Charm Award was presented to Irene at the Gold Medallion Ball in 2007 for oustanding achievements and enthusiastic support of the Philharmonic since its beginning in 1957. She was the first to receive this honor.
Irene volunteered on Tuesdays at the Heavenly Rest Church office, scheduling the Lay Eucharistic Ministers who visited the sick, home bound, nursing homes, and the bereaved. She also helped with the Hands-On Outreach assistance program for the needy in the community.
On September 9, 2000, Bill died from a brain aneurysm on their 59th wedding anniversary. Surviving Irene are two sons, William A. Pope III (Billy) of Austin and Vars Gage Pope of San Antonio, Billy's wife Margaret, who Irene referred to as the daughter she would have ordered; two grandchildren, Travis Gage Pope of Austin and recent graduate of Texas Tech, and Leah Abigail Pope of San Antonio. Leah is a civil engineering student at Texas Tech where she was an engineering exchange student at Sao Paulo University in Brazil in 2010.
Irene and her beloved companion of ten years, Jim B. Skinner, spent happy times target shooting, four wheeling on his ranch, and feeding the catfish. Life for Irene was grand. With cherished memories of family and friends she remarked, "Oh Abilene! How I Love Thee. God is good, I did it His way."
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.Wednesday, October 12, at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal with The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector, officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Irene has asked for donations to be given to Hands-On Outreach assistance program at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601; or Pastoral Care & Counseling Center, 1317 N. 8th Street, Abilene, TX 79601.
Ernest Eugene Reynolds Jr., 91
Died: Wednesday, October 05, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Ernest Eugene Reynolds, 91, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal with The Rev. N. Luke Back and The Rev. Amanda Watson presiding.
Ernest was born in Hutchins, Texas on February 19, 1920 to Ernest and Sallie (Hemphill) Reynolds. He was a 1939 graduate of Abilene High School.
He grew up at the First Baptist Church in Abilene and became a member of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal upon marriage, where he remained a member for the rest of his life.
Ernest attended the University of Arkansas on a GI Bill. While attending college, he met and married Marianne Matthews, of Little Rock, AR. They were married on February 22, 1947 in Benton, AR and were married for 57 years. After graduating from college with a business degree in personnel management, Ernest pursued a career with the U.S. Government, which lasted until his retirement in 1975. He served in the United States Army during World War II for its entirety. Following 18 months Garrison Duty in the Aleutian Islands he was transferred to Britain, crossed the channel and landed at Utah Beach where he joined the advancing of Germany serving under General Patton. After the Allied Victory he had earned enough points to be discharged; but instead he volunteered to remain in Europe, as his skills were still needed there. A favorite memory of his was the night his train arrived at the old train depot in downtown Abilene, where he was reunited with his family and friends.
A third generation Abilenian, Ernest was a man who always put God, Country and Family first. The only equal to his love of these was his native West Texas. His paternal grandfather, Brother James Reynolds, was the first Texas State Evangelist at First Baptist Church and was an early College Pastor at Simmons College, now Hardin-Simmons University. His maternal grandfather, Judge William T. Hemphill, was one of Abilene's founders who purchased lots at a town lot sale in 1881, at the founding of Abilene. His great-grandfather, Captain Jack Taylor, another early Abilene settler, was a cousin to President Zachary Taylor.
Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marianne Matthews Reynolds on November 29, 2004, and his sister Martha Reynolds Hamilton. He is survived by two sons, Ernest Eugene "Skip" Reynolds, III and wife Barbara of Colleyville, David William Reynolds of Dallas; one daughter, India Reynolds of Abilene; and three grandchildren, Colleen Reynolds Phelan, Sarah Reynolds Yves, and David Taylor Reynolds.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Victor Hudman, Jr., Dr. Noel Chant and Dr. Patrick Bruton. They would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Ms. Kay Forehand, who was the "angel among us", Mr. Alex Forehand, Ms. Peggy Wilson, Ms. Shannon Bargainer; as well as Natalie, Sherry, Amber, Mike and Bill and the entire amazing staff of Beyond Faith Home Care.
Memorials may be may made in honor of Ernest Reynolds to the Church of the Heavenly, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; Beyond Faith Home Care, 500 Chestnut, Abilene, TX 79602; or to the donor's favorite charity.
