Edna Mae Pursley

Edna Mae Pursley joined her Heavenly Father on Monday, February 12, 2018 in Abilene, TX at the age of 100.

She was born in 1917 in Sweetwater, TX to Thomas Monroe and Johnnie Irene Trent Price. She dedicated her life at the age of six to Jesus Christ and lived a beautiful and inspiring faith filled life. She graduated from Abilene High School, which later became Lincoln Junior High.

On September 11, 1938, she married Ernest O. Pursley, the love of her life, in Baird, TX. They celebrated 62 years of marriage together before his death in 2000. She enjoyed every aspect of being a homemaker, especially cooking and sewing, and raising her four loving children. Her home was often the gathering place for many neighborhood children to play baseball and ride horses on summer days.

She was an active member of Elmwood Baptist Church for over 78 years serving as Outreach Leader of the Ruth Sunday School class. She was also a member of the Benevolence Gospel Group and RSVP for over 30 years. One of her favorite activities included dancing with the Rose Park Senior Hula Dancers, often performing at nursing homes and even at the West Texas Fair. She was recognized many times for her dedication and volunteer work at various nursing homes and the Senior Center.

Her husband, her parents, brother E.V. Price of Quanah, TX, sisters Ione Brister and La Nelle Sconyers, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends precede Edna in death.

Survivors include daughters Susan (Melvin – deceased) Sanders, Carolyn (Duffy – deceased) White of Eastland, TX, Becky (Owen) Smedley, and son Bill (Becky) Pursley. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Doyle and Doug Sanders, Denise (Mark) Lemley, Gable (Allison) White of Dallas, TX, Brodie (Amy) White of Allen, TX, Brandon (Amanda) Smedley of Eastland, TX, Brooke (Jeff) Bennett, Erin Pursley of Chicago, IL, Kyle Whisenhunt of Huntsville, TX and Kayla Whisenhunt. In addition, there are seventeen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Our family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Tommie Farrell and the wonderful nurses at Hendrick Hospice Care for the special care given to Mom on her last few days.

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16 at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Joel Tobey. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park beside her loving husband.

Serving as pallbearers are Mark Lemley, Brodie White, Gable White, Jeff Bennett, Jerry Sconyers and Kyle Whisenhunt.

She was truly a wonderful wife, mother, friend, sister and faithful Christian woman who served the Lord everyday in her life. She was loved by all and will be missed greatly.

Proverbs 31:28

“Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.