Ila Mae Purcell Naron

Ila Mae Purcell Naron, 81, formerly of Buffalo Gap, Texas, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2019 in Hickory Creek in Denton County, Texas.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 14, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, at First Baptist Church in Buffalo Gap with Pastor Chuck Gililland officiating.  Burial will follow in Belle Plain Cemetery in Callahan County, Texas.

The daughter of Ila Ruby (Sadler) and Charlie Orbin Purcell, she was born on March 19, 1938 in Cross Cut (Brown County), Texas. The majority of her life was spent in Taylor County, Texas. She married Leon Naron on July 25, 1968 in Abilene. 

Ila was an accomplished author, having written several books and articles, and was a member of Writers Guild in Abilene and the Business and Professional Women’s Association.  She worked in the country music industry as a singer/songwriter and recorded several songs.  She loved to dance, both country western and square dance.  Ila was a member of First Baptist Church - Buffalo Gap, and Order of the Eastern Star, and had been a massage therapy instructor.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband Leon Naron on February 24, 2015.

Survivors include her son, Orbin Lesly and wife Carole of Buffalo Gap; two daughters, Veonna Lewis and husband Roger of Wanita, Nebraska, and Amber Goldman and husband Jay of Dallas; a sister, Jerene Holt and husband Ted of Buffalo Gap; and one brother, Leo Purcell and wife Mary of Clyde. Ila is also survived by five grandchildren, Kalen Gardner of Amarillo, Kiersten McIntyre and husband Cody of Seminole, Colton Lesly of Buffalo Gap, Brin Lewis Garcia of Marietta, Minnesota, and Jarrod Draper of Benkelman, Nebraska; and four great-grandchildren, Tinley McIntyre, Taylor McIntyre, Celeste Garcia, and Maizie Lewis.

Serving as pallbearers will be Colton Lesly, Cody McIntyre, Billy Flint, ll, Billy Flint, lll, Larry Fernandez, Sr., Larry Fernandez, Jr., Slade Cupps, Charlie Purcell, and Levi Purcell.  Ted Holt and Leo Purcell will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family suggests memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Breast Cancer), 7412 University Ave Unit 2, Lubbock, TX 79423-1486; or Belle Plain Cemetery.