Coral Leslie Maker

Coral Leslie (Corky) Maker Our beloved mother and grandmother passed away in Abilene, Texas on March 6, 2017 as the result of complications from a fall. When her husband Red Maker died in 2006, Corky was left broken hearted, but she was a strong woman who was determined to enjoy her remaining years and live life on her own terms. Here is the story of her life in her own words, as she wrote it several years ago for a church yearbook. It expresses her humor, her independence, and her unique voice. "I was born at home at 3217 So. 7th St. on November 8, 1927 to Hugh and Phoebe Clark. My dad had a radiator business, just one block east of the First United Methodist Church. My mom was a homemaker, which was no small job, caring for me and my siblings. I was sandwiched between a brother, Hanson, and a sister, Judy. We lived in Abilene, so we had running water and electricity (a single light bulb on an electric cord hanging from the ceiling). We were poor, but I didn't know it because I had clothes on my back (homemade) and I was never hungry (even though our food was simple and included a lot of one dish meals). No problem, cause I thought everyone lived like we did. We had never heard of recycling but we did it anyway, we just didn't know it had a name. We threw our dishwater out on the yard, and dad ran a drain pipe from our tub to the garden. Daddy also buried all our garbage in the garden. Waste not, want not. I went to elementary school at Fair Park and graduated from Abilene High in 1945. Then, in 1948, I graduated from McMurry College with a B.A. degree in Math. And because it was cheaper, I lived at home and rode the bus to college. While I was still at McMurry, WWII ended and Lester (Red) Maker made the mistake of moving across the street from me. He had been a flight instructor for the Army Air Force, so when the war ended, he moved to Abilene and opened Maker Air Park located where the old Westgate mall was at Pioneer and South 1st St. We dated for four years and married on August 9, 1949. We now have two daughters, Kitty and Terry, two sons-in-law, Joel Morgan and Chris Rogers. And, of course, our pride and joy, Mario and Marco (Villa), our two grandsons. Since our 50th wedding anniversary in 1999, we all get together on a cruise each year. After Red and his brother sold their airport in 1950, Red built two motels, bought two more and an RV park. We have now sold all but one motel and the RV Park. Red works all the time and will never retire because he thinks retirement is a four letter word. I just hope those Pearly Gates are broken so he will have something to repair when he gets there. One of my accomplishments that was so exciting and challenging was learning to fly. I had flown with Red for many years, but when I was 48 years old, I took flying lessons and soloed. My flying instructor was a man who Red had taught to fly in years past. I like my semi-retirement because besides being with family, I enjoy writing, reading, coffee with friends and traveling. I was born and raised in our church on the corner of So. Second and Butternut, so I have over 70 years of wonderful memories. I can thank many preachers, Sunday school teachers and my parents for my Christian upbringing. God has blessed me with a good life. I have a wonderful family and many friends. And I consider our church and the members of the Harvesters class as part of my family." Corky, also known as GG (Gorgeous Grandmother), is survived by her daughters, grandsons, sons-in-law, and her sister, Judy Hunsaker. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 11, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery. Organizations of special importance to Corky are the Harvesters Sunday School Class, the First United Methodist Church, 202 Butternut St., Abilene Texas, and the United Methodist Service Center and Food Pantries, P.O. Box 863, Abilene, TX 79604. Please consider a donation in her memory rather than flowers.