E. Estell Holtman

Evelyn Estell Holtman, age 92, passed from this life on November 25, 2011 in Abilene. She was surrounded by her beloved family. Her long life was full of all the best that life offers, including close family and warm friendships. She was the 3rd of seven children born to Robert and Charlotte Owen. Estell was born February 11, 1919 in Cumby, Texas and moved with her family to Cary, Texas in 1929. Estell married the love of her life, Luther Hilliard Holtman in 1938 and moved to Pampa, Texas where she lived for 50 years. Evelyn founded the Pampa Day Nursery, the first licensed daycare in Pampa, Texas. She dedicated her life to raising her children and was ever present in the lives of her grandchildren. She was formerly a member of the Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ in Pampa, the Comanche Trails Church of Christ in Amarillo, and more recently a member of Westgate Church of Christ in Abilene. She enjoyed collecting antiques, singing songs of praise, playing piano, painting, gardening, and family gatherings. After the death of her husband, Estell moved to Amarillo for a few years then to Ada, OK to be near her ailing son, Weylon. In 2004, Estell moved to Abilene to be near her daughter. Estell was a devoted Christian and we know she is now in the House of the Lord. Estell was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Luther Hilliard Holtman, her eldest son Weylon H. Holtman, her brothers, Otis Owen and R.C. Owen, and her sisters Odell Conner, Jo Lane and Dolly Montgomery. She has one surviving sister, Alice Patterson of Amarillo, TX. Surviving children; Annette Shortridge and husband Lew of Goodyear, AZ, Joyce Waddell and husband Jim of Abilene, TX, Lynn Holtman and wife Bessie of Tye, TX; Grandchildren; John Gower, Lisa McNutt and husband Eddie, Charlotte Ralston and husband Thad, Pam Holtman, and Weylon Holtman Jr. all of Ada, OK, Mark Sparks and wife Kathy of Phoenix, AZ, Clint Sparks of Kapaa, HI, Tracy Sparks of El Mirage, AZ, James Waddell Jr. and wife Sally of Milliken, CO, Jeannette McQueen and husband David of Abilene, Melanie Holtman of Lubbock, Mindy Holtman of Pampa, Loren Holtman of Pampa, Angela Rawson and husband Ricky of Lawton, OK, Lance and Kelli Holtman of Tye, Joseph McGregory of Clinton, OK, Brandon McGregory of Amarillo. Estell has 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Viewing with the family will be held Monday, November 28th at 5:00 pm through 7:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A celebration of her life will be held at Beltway Park Baptist Chapel on Tuesday, November 29th at 1:00 pm. Interment and a graveside service will be held in Pampa at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Wednesday, November 30th at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Love and Care Ministries of Abilene in memory of Estell Holtman.