Lura Mae Sivley

Lura (Muffet) Sivley, 83, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2006 in Abilene. A private graveside service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday in Elmwood Memorial Park. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm at First Christian Church, with Rev. Dr. Tom Lyda, Rev. Dr. Chris Diebel and Dr. Phil Christopher officiating. The family will greet friends after the memorial service. Local arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Lura was born on January 30, 1923 in Plains, Texas to Dick and Ruth Free. She moved to Abilene when she was four years old. Muffet graduated from Abilene High School and attended Hardin Simmons until she married W. Rufus Sivley on June 19, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. He was an aviation cadet at the time. After Mr. Sivley finished his education in Houston, they returned to Abilene where he went into the building business. Mrs. Sivley decorated many of his speculative houses. Muffet was an avid golfer until health problems prevented her from enjoying the sport. She also enjoyed playing bridge and entertaining their friends. She was a member of First Christian Church, Abilene Country Club and former member of the Junior League of Abilene, Ladies Golf Association, The Assembly Dance Club, The Pensadores Study Club, and several bridge clubs through the years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Ruth Free of Abilene; one sister and her husband, Dixie and Bo Presley of Abilene; and one brother, Burns Free of Vista, California. She is survived by her husband, W. Rufus Sivley of Abilene; three sons, David Sivley and his wife Judy of Abilene, Roger Sivley of Buffalo Gap, and Mark Sivley and his wife Judy of Abilene; one sister, Faye Pender and her husband Hal of Abilene; four grandchildren, Rachelle, Leah, Matthew and Jonathan; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church, 1420 North 3rd Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604; Noah Project, 1636 North 20th Street, Abilene, Texas, 79601 or the donor's favorite charity.