Hope Ann Wilkins

Hope Wilkins, 74, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 in a local hospital. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating. A family graveside will be held prior to the memorial service at 10:00 am in Elmwood Memorial Park. Hope was born January 8, 1932, in Fort Worth, Texas while her mother was a resident of the Edna Gladney Home. She was adopted within a few days by Bernard Allen (Barney) Duffy and Merle Lillian Hart (Merle) Duffy of Abilene. After a few months, Edna Gladney made a trip to Abilene to visit the home and noted in her records that Hope was in a very nice home and was well taken care of. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1950. She then attended Ward Belmont in Nashville (at that time a girl's school) for one year, Hardin-Simmons University for one year, and the University of Texas for two years, graduating in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Hope married Howard Wilkins in Abilene on November 24, 1962. Active in many civic affairs, Hope served as a board member of the Abilene Woman's Club, where she was a lifetime member, Abilene Zoological Society, and Abilene Girl's Home (Harmony Family Services). In 1992, Harmony Family Services named Hope to their Hall of Fame. At Hardin-Simmons University, she served on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Development, and the School of Music Foundation Board. Hope and Howard have been active supporters of many charitable organizations and in 2000 received from the Baptist Development Officers of the BGCT the Philanthropist of the Year Award. Hope has been a part of First Baptist Church since cradle roll days. She made her public profession of faith when she was twelve years old and was baptized on October 8, 1944. She sang in the choir and taught in the Beginner Sunday School Department for many years. In addition to her family, Hope's primary interests in recent years have been working with flowers, painting, needlework, adding to her mother's antique collection, and maintaining her home. She was preceded in death by both of her parents. Hope is survived by her husband, Howard Wilkins of Abilene, two daughters, Melanie Gray and Lisa Nichols of Abilene, and three grandchildren, Meredith and Landon Gray and Olivia Nichols. Royce "Pete" Peterson, Eddie Hodges, Gilbert Korman, Mike Lee, James Tucker, Dwight Kinard and Bobby Melson will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be JoAnn Peterson, Barbara Sojourner, Evelyn Spires, Peggy Hawes and Inez Floeck. Memorials may be made in honor of Hope Wilkins to the donor's favorite charity.