In Loving Memory~

Ruth Miller Hutchens Wilson, 89, mother of Johnnie, Brenda, and Larry Hutchens, died early Thursday, Jan. 10. Service will be at 10:00am Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Sayles Blvd in Abilene. Interment will be at Goree Cemetery at 2:30pm. Family and friends are welcome to gather afterwards at Brenda's home at 813 W Oregon in Seymour.

Ruth Miller Hutchens Wilson
Friday, January 11, 2008

I was born Mabel Ruth Miller on July 24, 1918, the middle of nine girls born to Zoa Ann Jackson and Elmer Nathaniel Miller. My early schooling was at Brushy and Goree. At Brushy, my family owned the land that Miller’s Creek crossed; therefore the creek and, eventually, the reservoir, were named for our family. On May 1, 1935, my high school sweetheart, W. O. “Billie” Hutchens, and I were married. To us were born Johnnie Marie on September 10, 1937: Brenda Ferrell on March 2, 1941; and Larry Miller on September 6, 1944. Billie died April 15, 1959, turning my world upside down.

After moving to Abilene, I attended and graduated from McMurry College (now University) with high honors in August, 1962. I taught at College Heights, Jane Long, Mann Jr. High, Cooper High School and Jefferson Jr. High. It was at College Heights that I met and married Al Wilson, who had a son, Howard Paul. Al and I both retired from the Abilene ISD and managed rental property and held estate auctions until his death in October of 1989. I remained active until a stroke hit me on March 11, 2007.

A lifelong Methodist, the Woman’s Society of Christian Service awarded me the lifetime service award at First Methodist Church in Goree. Upon moving to Abilene in 1959, we joined Aldersgate United Methodist Church and I remained active in the Home Builders Class until my stroke.

In addition to Billie and Al, I was predeceased by six of my sisters as well as one daughter-in-law. In addition to Johnnie and her husband Charlie Merrill, Brenda and her husband Joe Dickson, Larry Hutchens, Howard Wilson and his wife, Cindy, I am survived by eight grandchildren: Brian Merrill; Angela Merrill Head and husband Joe; Richard Merrill and wife, Susan; Gordon Merrill; David Dickson; Juli Dickson Keehn and husband Darrell; Amanda Hutchens Turner and husband Jimmy; and Hayley Wilson. Also surviving are twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters as well as two sisters, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Services will be as I’ve planned at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Sayles Blvd. in Abilene, Texas, at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 12, officiated by Rev. Derrell Patterson officiating, with interment at Goree Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Visitation will be after the service at Aldersgate.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and spouses of granddaughters, Brian Merrill, Richard Merrill, Gordon Merrill, Joe Head, David Dickson, Darrell Keehn, and Jimmy Turner.

Family and friends will gather at the Dickson Home, 813, West Oregon in Seymour, Texas.

Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX 79605, or to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or the charity of your choice.