Lillian Velma Colwell

Lillian Velma Colwell, 96, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, died peacefully on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Wisteria Place Nursing Home, Abilene, Texas. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with a Wake Service and Rosary Service beginning at 6:00 PM, led by Deacon Gary Rhodes, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Abilene, Texas, on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 11:00 AM with Monsignor Frederick Nawarskas officiating. Graveside services will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Taylor, Texas on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Lillian was born in Taylor, Texas on October 2, 1919 to Joseph and Mary (Svajda) Mikolaj. She graduated from Taylor High School in 1937. Arthur John Zalesky and Lillian were married in 1939 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor, Texas. They had one daughter Barbara (Zalesky) Griffin. After 24 years of marriage, her husband, Arthur, died in 1963 in San Antonio, Texas after a short illness. Lillian married Alfred (Burns) Colwell in 1971 in San Antonio, Texas. She retired to Taylor, Texas in 1979. After 27 years of marriage, her second husband, Burns, died in 1998 in Taylor, Texas. In 2010, Lillian moved to Abilene, Texas to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. An avid gardener, Lillian especially enjoyed sharing her love of flowers, animals and nature with friends and family. For many years, she was a church secretary at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. She also baked wedding cakes for friends and family. Her wonderful sense of humor will be missed along with her love and enjoyment of life. Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, three brothers, and one sister. Survivors include her daughter Barbara and her husband Dr. Jerry Griffin, both of Abilene, Texas; three grandchildren, Robert Griffin and wife Amanda, of Ft. Worth, Texas; Regina Griffin of Austin, Texas; Ryan Griffin of Abilene, Texas; step-daughter, Carol Springs and her husband Slim of Luling, Texas; Ann Lee and her husband Phil of Frisco, Texas; and step-son Paul Dahlberg and wife Carol of Luling, Texas. Lillian is also survived by, Kay and Leo Tiller, Jr. , Luling , Texas; Annette Kohoutek, Austin, Texas; Bernice Mikolaj, Spring, Texas, Betty and G. B. McDermott, Cameron, Texas; numerous step-granddaughters, step-grandsons, step-great-grandsons, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. Pallbearers are Robert Griffin, Ben Andrews, Lynn Roth and John Stuart. The family would like to extend a special thanks to staff and nurses at Wisteria Place, Hendrick Hospice Care and Dr. Brian Ganesh. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601; or Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, Texas 79606.