Mary Adalene "Addie" Felts

Mary Adalene “Addie” Rheiner Felts, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 1, 2021. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11:00AM at University Church of Christ-Gymnasium, 733 E. N. 16th, Abilene, TX. There will be a private family burial.

 She was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 10, 1931, to Jack Davenport Rheiner and Lillian Hughes Rheiner.  Her mother passed away when she was 3, and she was raised by her father and stepmother, Bernice. Addie attended Edison High in San Antonio. After high school she went to Abilene Christian College where she was voted Freshman Favorite, Cheerleader, Beauty, and Abilene Christian’s very first Homecoming Queen. While at ACC she met and married Richard “Dick” Felts. They were married 51 years until his death in 2003.

They had 5 children, Susan, Sara, Ricky, Sherry, and Sharon. 

 Addie taught school at Lampasas Elementary, Dallas Christian School, Lubbock Christian High School, and over 20 years at Abilene Christian University in the Physical Education Department.  During her tenure at ACU, she became the school’s first women’s track coach.

 “Miss Addie” and “Uncle Dick” were known for their hospitality, and they fed and hosted numerous college students through the years. Their home was always open and there were always many great meals served by Addie, who was an excellent cook.

 After retiring from ACU, Addie and Dick moved to Brownwood, TX, where they attended Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Dick couldn’t quite make himself fully retire, but he made sure there was plenty of time for their shared hobbies of deer hunting and fishing. Addie was known for her fishing abilities and often out fished many men.  She loved to fish all night and at every opportunity available.  Her favorite pastime was fishing or hunting with her grandsons.

 After she became a widow in 2003, she devoted herself to the service of the Lord. She began teaching classes to inmates at the Brownwood Jail, and helping provide meals for the Hope Class at Austin Avenue Church of Christ. She was a fervent prayer warrior, and her children, grandchildren and friends coveted her prayers.

 She returned to Abilene, TX, in 2016. Addie will always be remembered for her big smile and sweet spirit. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She was an excellent listener, encourager, and always quick to give a compliment.

 Addie is survived by four children, Susan Fry, (Eddy), Ricky Felts (Kim), Sherry Ratliff, and Sharon Shipley (Bob), son-in-law, Dr. Clifton DuBose (Beverly). She is also survived by her 21 grandchildren, T.C Smith (Crystal), Ricky Smith (Emily), Casey Hatcher, Clifton DuBose (Nadia), Dan DuBose (Beth), Ben DuBose (Emily), Kara Zimmerman (Derek), Monty Felts (Emily), Tommy Felts (Suzanna), Russell Felts (Yvette), Martha Kate Robinson (Zac), J.W. Boucher (Sandra), Shay Ratliff, Sloan Clark (Bryan), Scottye Urias (Isaac), Sydnee Boyd (Rob), Si Ratliff (Beau), Jordan Shipley (Sunny), Shelby Nunez (Juan), Jaxon Shipley (Blaze), Addie Jane Thomas (Aaron), her 50 great grandchildren, her brother-in-law, John Felts, her nieces and nephews, and honorary sons Hill Cayce, Cle Montgomery, and Wil Montgomery.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dick Felts, daughter, Sara Felts DuBose, son-in-law, Jay Hatcher, brother, Jack Rheiner, sister, Sonja Rheiner Botkin, and great granddaughter, Baylor Clark.

 The family would like to thank Hendrick Hospice Care for all of their special love and care during her transition to Heaven.