Ona Maude Gaston

Ona Maude Gaston, 97, passed away March 23, 2013 in Abilene. A celebration of her life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Rd., Abilene, with the Reverend Jeff Hatcher officiating. Burial will be in Buffalo Gap Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene. Maude was born on June 4, 1915 in Camp Springs, Texas. She was the daughter of Beulah and W.P. Tipps. She graduated from Elm Mott High School in 1931. She married William Gaston June 23, 1932. William was a Methodist minister and together they served a number of churches in Texas. Some of the Northwest Texas Conference churches in the Abilene District were Wylie, Clyde, Moran and others. Maude had a special love for her Lord, love for people, and a special love for life. She began teaching Sunday School classes at a very young age. She directed junior camps for the Methodist Church for years. Maude held many children’s leadership training schools in Texas and several other states. She was Education Director for churches in Hereford, Uvalde, and St. Luke’s Methodist Church in San Angelo where she also was the Director of a Pre-School Program. Maude and William retired from active ministry in Christoval, Texas. Maude enjoyed art, sewing, gardening and numerous other hobbies. She continued teaching in the Christoval Methodist Church and some in the public school system. She was very involved in Community activities. In 1993 Maude moved to Buffalo Gap to live near family members. Now her journey on earth is finished and she is with Jesus and her beloved William in her new heavenly home. Preceding Maude in death were her husband of 51 years, William; her parents; seven brothers and her twin sister, Ora. Survivors include two sons and one daughter – Hugh William (Bill) Gaston Jr., and wife Doris of Austin, Esther (Gaston) Stewart and husband Kenneth of Buffalo Gap, Garland Gaston and wife Jutta of Dewey, Arizona. There are eight grandchildren: Sandra Fudge and husband Rick of Austin, Darrel Gaston and wife Chris of Springs, Mickey Stewart and wife Pam of Buffalo Gap, Cindy Lantrip and husband Gene of Abilene, Kerry Stewart of San Angelo, Silvia Jones and husband Paul of Friendswood, Sabine Farek of Corpus Christi, Lorine Tiede and husband Russ of Dewey, Arizona. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made in honor of Maude Gaston to Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Rd., Abilene, TX 79606; Buffalo Gap Cemetery Association, P O Box 842, Buffalo Gap, TX 79508; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601; or the charity of your choice.