Bertha Pearl Linahan

Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Reverend Janice Kahl, Reverend Doris Miller and Jim McKenzie will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Round Mound Cemetery on FM 1082 in Hamby. Shorty was promoted from this earth on February 9, 2009 at the age of 73. She was born April 25, 1935 in Hamby to Clyde and Elizabeth Watts Hampton. She married Johnny Clay Linahan on October 17, 1951 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Shorty and Johnny farmed and operated the Hamby Water System for 31 years. In 1999 she was selected as "Operator of the Year" by the Texas Rural Water Association for the State of Texas. They were instrumental in organizing the Hamby Volunteer Fire Department. When most were retiring, she decided to open her own business in 1994 which was Southwest, Etc. that specialized in products that she personally loved. She was a member of the Hamby United Methodist Church, serving as Treasurer for many years. Shorty was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She gracefully exhibited humility, generosity and humor throughout her life; even in her last days. Survivors include two sons, Clyde (Butch) Linahan and wife Alecia of Hamby, Bobby Joe Linahan and wife Bette Lu, of Abilene; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and a sister, Linda McKenzie and her husband Jim, of Huntsville. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Pallbearers will be David Linahan, Jeff Roberts, Ben Linahan, John Linahan, Wes Lindsey and Albert Watts. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim McKenzie, Danny Lewis, Johnny Watts, Raymond Watts, Jerry Watts and Jay Estes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hamby United Methodist Church, 480 Mesquite, Abilene, Texas 79601; SportsReach Prison Ministry, 480 Mesquite, Abilene, Texas, 79601; or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be February 11, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.