Wilmath Carolyn Puckett

Wilmath Carolyn "Mimi" Groover Puckett, 84, walked, skipped, and ran into heaven April 13, 2010. She was born October 14, 1925, in Hartselle, Alabama, the second daughter of William Lee Groover and Ruth Chambers Groover. Known as Mimi since birth, when her older sister could not pronounce her name, she was a beautiful, giving, fun loving person. Her laugh was infectious, and she always had a kind word and an uplifting spirit, no matter what her circumstances. Mimi graduated from Morgan County High School in Hartselle, Alabama in 1944. She attended Alabama College in Montevallo, where she was recognized as a Campus Beauty. She was stricken with polio in June of 1945, but polio would not define her, as she recovered without even a limp. She married her high school sweetheart, John Paul Puckett, on March 17, 1946. They began their life together at the University of Tennessee medical school, where he received his medical degree. Mimi was a supportive, loving wife, moving with her husband and 2 oldest children 16 times as medical school, internship, the Navy, and medical practices dictated, before finally settling in Lamesa, Texas in August, 1954. There, 3 more children followed, as did her very busy life of a doctor's wife in a small town. Mimi was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lamesa, and at various times in her life she was involved in the Dawson County Medical Auxiliary, PTA, and Lamesa Delphian Club. She was a consummate mother, who taught her children to love the Lord and others; most especially, she modeled the value of a joyful heart. She had a wonderful ability to "roll with the punches", and this trait enabled her to let go of the past and embrace her present circumstances, whatever they might be. Mimi's homemade rolls, chocolate cake and boiled custard always graced our holiday tables. In her seventies, polio again appeared in the form of Post Polio Syndrome. General weakness gave way to constant pain and inability to walk or stand, but her sweet spirit and beautiful smile never waned. After living in Lamesa for over 50 years, she moved to Abilene in 2005. She loved people, and her best days were those when her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came to see her. Mimi is survived by her children and their families: John Paul Puckett, Jr. and wife Cookie of Horse Shoe Bay, TX, Libby Martin and husband Ken of Abilene, TX, Lee Beaty and husband Jerry of Abilene, TX, Joe Puckett and wife Donna of Hobbs, NM, and Jim Tom Puckett and wife Jeanie of Lubbock, TX; 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her younger sister Elizabeth Newton of Hartselle, Alabama, and brothers-in-law Dan Puckett and Buddy Puckett, both of Birmingham, Alabama. Mimi was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister Willie Ruth Block of Hartselle, Alabama. Her memorial service will be Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with private burial earlier. We will always miss her beautiful smile and spirit, but we rejoice in the lessons that she taught us. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 409 North 3rd Street, Lamesa, TX 79331 or to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15