Ouida Dobbins Harkey

Ouida Dobbins Harkey died peacefully Saturday, January 15, 2011, with her two daughters by her side. She was born the first of four children in Spur, Texas on July 15,1918, to Corria Lee Watts and Homer Dobbins. She graduated from eight grade in Leveland at the top of her class and graduated as valedictorian from Spur High School in 1935. In 1939, Ouida graduated from Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, known then as Simmons College, with a degree in business. After Simmons she was a member of County Clerks office where she met her future husband M. C. (Mike) Harkey. Ouida and Mike married on April 1, 1939, and were married for 61 years prior to his death in 2000. During WWII she worked at Camp Barkley, Tennessee Medical Ward, and in Dallas where Mike was stationed at Love Field. During the war Ouida was able to join Mike where ever he was stationed. A newly made friend and journalist wrote a touching human interest story about Mike and Ouida which was published in the New York Times. He told about the war-time struggles of this young couple and Ouida's willingness to follow her husband to each new assignment. Returning from WWII the Harkeys made their home in Abilene, Texas. After rearing their two daughters, Ouida returned to college at McMurry University (then McMurry College) to obtain her teacher's certificate. She began teaching math at Franklin Junior High and later taught Vocational Office Education at Abilene High School for thirteen years. This was her love and truly where she was meant to be. She helped so many students find and realize their potential and have jobs that they never dreamed they could do. Her students truly loved and adored their mentor. Ouida was a member of the Abilene Retired Teachers Association, Abilene Woman's Club, Abilene Mother's Study Club, First Baptist Sarah Class, Golden Lariat Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, was a former Member of the Board at Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union, Abilene Garden Club, and Abilene State School's Board of Volunteers. She is survived and dearly missed by her two daughters, Dr. Carolyn Bray and husband, Dr. J. Graham Bray of San Francisco, CA; Kathy Krieger and husband, Ted Krieger of Abilene; two brothers, Pike Dobbins of Austin and Pete Dobbins of Spur; three grandchildren, Melinda Roberson and husband, Randy Roberson; Tim Herring of San Francisco; Ashleigh Chisholm Goff and husband, Kerry Goff of Fredericksburg; two step -grandchildren, Ashleigh Marshall and husband, Jason Marshall; Jason Krieger and wife, Mallory Krieger; two great-grandchildren, Rayce and Amanda Roberson; five step great-grandchildren, Cooper, Jackson, and Kate Marshall; and Malakai, and Elijah Krieger; many nieces and nephew, and a very close and devoted friend, Winifred Byrd. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, at Hamil Family Funeral Chapel followed by a graveside in Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Highway 277 South, with Palmer McCown of First Baptist Church officiating. Memorials may be made to Sears Hospice at 1 Village Drive, Suite 300, Abilene, Texas 79606 or at the discretion of the remembered.