Sylvia Beatrice Atwood

Sylvia Beatrice "Bea" Atwood, 84, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at her residence in Abilene, Texas. The daughter of William Benjamin and Pollie (Smith) Cross, she was born on February 13, 1927 in Graham, Oklahoma, and grew up and attended school in Carter County, Oklahoma. She married John W. "Jake" Atwood on December 23, 1948 in Carrizozo, New Mexico. In 1948 they moved from Levelland, Texas to Abilene. Bea was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake Atwood, on May 14, 1988; parents; four sisters, Virgie Mae Cross, Laura Wilson, Wanda Smith and Mary Sue Farris; and brother, Gene Cross. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Dennis Bartley of Bastrop, Texas; one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Sherrie Atwood of Midland; two sisters and their husbands, Mattie Compton and Don, and Peggy Knutson and Steve, all of Hamlin; a brother, Hershel Cross and wife LaDonna of Carlsbad, Texas; three grandchildren, Jake Atwood of Bastrop, Cathy Coon of Round Rock, Texas, and Cory Coon of Midland; one great-grandson, Cody Coon; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Chaplain Chris Hale officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jake Atwood, Cory Coon, Cody Coon, Zach Brown, Ben Cross, Karl Smith and Kerry Smith. The family of Bea Atwood wishes to express sincere thanks to Karen Smith, Heather Brown, Twyla Foreman and Hospice of the Big Country, as well as to Dr. Brian Shimkus and his staff of Austin.