Brenda Jackson

Brenda Jackson, 66, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2007. Funeral services will be today at 2:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Rev. Carter Edmondson officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamby Cemetery. Brenda was born on November 4, 1940 in Abilene, Texas, the daughter of Alton Whiteaker and Beatrice (Perry) Whiteaker. She graduated from Abilene High School and Draughn's Business College. Brenda was a lifelong resident of the Abilene area and for many years worked for Cal Tex Feed Yard in Trent as the secretary and bookkeeper. She was a member of the Hamby Methodist Church. Brenda was also a member of the Merkel Ladies Golf Association, Shady Oaks Ladies Golf Association and the Merkel Senior Golfers. Loving sports of all kinds, Brenda spent many hours in her younger years showing 4-H club calves and racing barrels. Fast pitch softball was also a passion of hers. She started playing at a very young age and played until about 1980. From the time her daughter, Debbie, was 7 years old until the age of 19, Brenda coached her fast pitch softball team. She also coached many girls in the Trent and Merkel area. She always played golf, but after retiring from the pitcher's mound, she made the golf course her home away from home. When she was not at work or playing golf, Brenda would follow her grandchildren, Whitney and Laramy, to all of their events or she would spend time visiting with her many friends. Brenda is survived by one daughter, Debbie Richardson and her husband Gary; one brother, Payton Whiteaker and his wife Shirley; two grandchildren, Whitney and Laramy Richardson, all of Hamby; three nieces, D'Ann Gonzalez and her husband Daniel of Arlington, Rhonda Whiteaker of Decatur, and Paula Odom of Arlington; two great-nieces, Bethany and Natalie Gonzalez of Arlington. She is also survived by numerous friends. Pallbearers will be her special golf partners, Sherri Bowden, Danna Dunagin, Jeanie West, Cindy Hamner, Wanda Hendricks, Faye Robertson and Jo Ann Gardner. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Dudley, Don Moore, Lloyd Williams, Lou Garner, Steve Shugart, Rex Bland, John Bland, Johnny Kirk Edmondson and Terry Brown. Memorials may be made in honor of Brenda Jackson to the donor's favorite charity.