Idell Harvey Kirkley

Idell Kirkley, 92, died Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at an Abilene care center. Born in Crystal Falls, Texas on January 16, 1920, Idell was the daughter of Annie (Hanks) and Lee Thomas Harvey. She graduated from Abilene High School and married Robert L. "Bob" Kirkley on June 19, 1943 in Abilene. She worked for both Sears and Thornton's selling clothing for children. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Abilene where she was a member of the Adult Sunday School Class. A volunteer at the Hendrick Medical Center, she was a member of the Hendrick Medical Center Auxiliary. Idell was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be sorely missed. Idell was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Kirkley, on May 14, 2006; her parents; brother, Ray Harvey; and four sisters, Bea Landrum, Lorene Harvey, Ruby Grace Ramsey, and Marian O'Kelley. Survivors include her daughter, Donna Souders and husband Russell of Abilene; two grandchildren, Russell Souders, Jr. and wife Kristen, and Robin Pritchett and husband Steven, all of Abilene; four great-grandchildren, Jayden, Kyler, Kirkley, and Kassidy; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Sooner. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 31, in First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers will be Russell Souders, Jr., Steven Pritchett, Jayden Pritchett, Carroll O'Kelley, Jr., Roger Chittum, Kelly Chittum, and Cliff Shaw. A very special thank you goes to Dr. Carl Trusler, the nurses, aides, and administrators at Windcrest Health Care Center, Hospice of the Big Country, and IntegraCare Hospice of Abilene. Memorial contributions may be made to Windcrest Health Care Center, 6050 Hospital Drive, Abilene, TX 79606; Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or IntegraCare Hospice of Abilene, 1665 Antilley Rd. Ste. 100, Abilene, TX 79606.