Ima Gene Hurst

Ima Gene Hurst, 79, died Tuesday, November 18, 2014, in Abilene at Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Center. Born in Zephyr, Texas on September 16, 1935, she was the daughter of Verneice (Murphree) and Melvin Stovall. She graduated from Early High School (1953), Hendrick Memorial Hospital Vocational School of Nursing (1969), Mary Meek School of Nursing (1978), and Saint Joseph’s College in Maine with a Bachelor of Science Professional Arts in (1986). Ima Gene married Donivan Dewayne Hurst in Midland, Texas. Since August of 1961, she had been a resident of Abilene. She was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Love Sunday School Class, and Care Force Mission Team Leader. She was previously employed by Hendrick Medical Center, Upjohn Healthcare, State of Texas – Long Term Care as Nurse Reviewer, Disabled Children’s Project with the Texas Department of Human Services for a 44 county service area, and Utilization Review Department of Health and Human Services Commission, State of Texas as Regional Supervisor for a service area of 107 counties. In August 2003, Ima Gene retired as a Registered Nurse following her 35-year nursing career. Other organizational memberships and involvements include American Business Women’s Association, West Texas Heritage Chapter since July 1984 and serving as chapter president two terms, chairman of Business Women’s STRUT event and chaired several other committees, and West Texas Heritage Chapter Woman of the Year in 1982. She was a former member of District 15 Texas Nurses’ Association, District 15 TNA Nurse of the Year, 1982, Taylor County Chapter of American Cancer Society, Board President two years, I CAN COPE facilitator four years, member of local chapter of National Kidney Foundation, and member of Texas Democratic Women. Ima Gene was preceded in death by her husband, Donivan Dewayne Hurst, on October 10, 2014; son, Melvin “Maurice” Hurst; her parents; and sister, Josephine Rhodes. Survivors include a son, Bennie Dwain Hurst and wife Sherry of Abilene; a daughter, Donna Susan Hurst of Blanco, TX; six grandchildren and spouses, Luke Hurst and Ann, Jeremy Hurst, Stephen Holloway and Debbie, Jennifer Lee and Willie, Elise Hurst, and Amber Hurst; and eight great-grandchildren. Ima Gene is also survived by four sisters, Shirley Ann Sharp of Bangs, Judy Eoff of Blanket, Melvina Floyd and Frank of San Angelo, and Meldina Mitchell and Larry of Early; one brother, Gary Melvin Stovall and wife Shirley of Early; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 21, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating. Burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 20, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Serving as pallbearers will be Bennie Dwain Hurst, Luke Hurst, Jeremy Hurst, Stephen Holloway and Alan Rhodes. Memorial contributions may be made to Care Force Ministry Team at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 So. Pioneer Dr., Abilene, TX 79605; American Cancer Society, 3402 North 1st St. Suite 102, Abilene, TX 79603; Alzheimers Association North Central Texas Chapter, 301 So. Pioneer Dr. Suite105, Abilene, TX 79605; or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.