Dillan Rae Strickland

(August 6, 1993 ~ September 1, 2026)

Dillan, son of Virgil Lee Strickland, Jr. and Faye Ann Rae, buried in Oplin Cemetery, Oplin, Callahan County, Texas.

Dillan Strickland, 33, of Oplin, TX passed away on September 1, 2026 in Amarillo, TX.  

Visitation will be from 4:00pm - 6:00p.m., Sunday, September 6, 2026 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene.

 Funeral services will be 10:00a.m., Monday, September 7, 2026 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Simmons of the Second Chance Cowboy Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Oplin Cemetery.

Dillan was born in Abilene, TX to Virgil Lee Strickland, Jr. and Faye Ann Rae on August 6, 1993.  He attended Jim Ned School in Tuscola, TX.  He worked several years as a crane operator, most recently working in Amarillo, TX.  He loved roping and riding the pastures on his horse Uno.  Most of all Dillan loved spending time with his daughter Swayzi.  He had his own voice and lived life to the fullest. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil Lee Strickland, Sr., Raymond Rae, Jo Ann Rae Johnston, Johnny and Peggy Childress; and uncles, Mike Sharp and Tim Childress; and his cousin Lonnie Carlile.  

Dillan is survived by his daughter, Swayzi Strickland of Fayetteville, TX; brother, Garrett and wife Andi Strickland; parents, Virgil Lee Strickland, Jr., Drew and Faye Childress; grandmother, Kay Strickland; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins.  

Pallbearers will be Chad Hanna, Laramie Richardson, Ty Burleson, Logan Stinnett, John Baum, and Talon Pratt.  Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Burleson, Abby Nelson, Mike Sharp, and Lonnie Carlile.

Memorials may be given to Oplin Cemetery Association.

Funeral Services

Visitation

Sunday, September  6

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606

4:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)

Funeral Service

Monday, September  7

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Burial

Monday, September  7

11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Central time)

Gene Wesley Allmand

(August 13, 1930 ~ August 1, 2026)

Gene, son of Charles Wesley Allmand and Margie Mae Johnson, married 1st to Betty Jo Smith, married 2nd to Betty Ruth Stone and buried in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta, Clay County, Texas.

Gene Wesley Allmand, 95, of Henrietta, Texas passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The family will receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Owens and Brumley Funeral Home in Henrietta, Texas. The family burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Hope Cemetery under the direction of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home of Henrietta. 

Gene was born on August 13, 1930 to the late Charles Wesley and Margie Mae (Johnson) Allmand in Taylor County, Texas. Later, he moved to Clay County around 1956. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Smith and the couple spent many wonderful years together before her passing at a young age of 31. After the passing of Betty Jo, Gene remarried to Betty Ruth Stone and lost her in 2015.

Gene bought a Henrietta gas station, Allmand Service Station in 1970 and the community found out that there was nobody that had a bigger heart than Gene. He would help families in need by helping them with gas, auto repair or anything that they needed. 

Gene was a member of the Henrietta Lions Club and the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce, where he would cook sausage for the communities, Pioneer Days. Although Gene was always busy at the station and volunteering his time in the community, he always had time to work in his garden and most of all, spend time with his family. He enjoyed his lake cabin with the family, but his most enjoyable time was giving rides in his dune buggy down “Thrill Hill”.  This amazing man will truly be missed by many family and friends.

Along with his parents and two his two wives, Gene was preceded in death by two sons, Rodney Whitley and Kirby Whitley; three brothers, Cecil Allmand, Orville Gill and Floyd Allmand; and four sisters-in-law.

He is survived by two sons, Gary Allmand and wife, Debbie and Mike Allmand and wife, Kay; two daughters, Debbie Bachman and husband, David and Dianne Whitley; brother, JW Allmand; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other loved familymembers.

 In lieu of flowers,the family suggest donations may be to the Henrietta Fire Dept. 916 W Spring St, Henrietta, TX 76365 or Clay County Animal Shelter 503 N Carroll St, Henrietta, TX 76365.  

Condolences may be sent to the family at davisfuneralhome.net 

Melba Louise Pearce King Drennan

(May 5, 1931 ~ March 11, 2026)

Melba, daughter of Steven Bruce Pearce and Mary Rebecca Sanders, married 1st to Henry Elmer 'Buddy' King, Jr., married 2nd to Tom Edward Drennan and buried in Emerald Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park Cemetery.

Melba Louise Drennan, age 94, of Sunset, Texas passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026.

She was born on May 5, 1931, in Bradshaw, TX to Steven Bruce and Rebecca Pearce.

She is remembered as a devoted member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Burleson, TX, where her faith and warmth touched everyone, she met. Church was one of her greatest joys—she loved being there, offering hugs, sharing conversations, and building genuine connections with the congregation.

Her servant’s heart showed in everything she did. She volunteered faithfully with the women’s ministries, helped each year with Vacation Bible School, and could always be found in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, or washing dishes. She never waited to be asked; her first words were always “What can I do?”—and she never expected anything in return. She gave generously of her time, her energy, and her heart.

Melba attended Bradshaw School through 10th grade with a class of 9 students before it closed. There she worked on the school annual, member of the 4-H Club and played volleyball. She was elected as School Favorite in 1947.

She completed her high school education at South Taylor High School graduating in 1949. As a senior, she played basketball, member of the pep squad and was the business manager of the yearbook committee.

After graduation, she moved to Abilene to attend Business College.

She soon went to work for Ben E. Keith Produce Company in Abilene as an Assistant Bookkeeper. With a strong recommendation from the Abilene office, she joined the Ben E. Keith Produce location in Fort Worth, where she served as secretary to the Manager for 13 years.

In 1968, she went to work for Vought Aircraft, where she transferred information to large data tapes and proofread materials for the publication department. She was later promoted to quality control, reviewing the manuals produced for aircraft maintenance for both the Navy and the Air Force.

While working at Vought, she met Tom Drennan. They married June 7, 1972. They lived in Hawaii for 20+ years. They grew pineapples, macadamia nuts, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and avocados.

While living in Hawaii, she worked for property manager Nancy Cabral, handling data entry from Nancy’s home. As the business grew into Day‑Lum, a full property management and real estate corporation with fifteen employees, nineteen sales personnel, and an office in downtown Hilo, Melba became the company’s bookkeeper and comptroller. She served in that role for more than seventeen years before retiring and returning to Texas. The bond between Nancy and Melba remained deep and enduring, like that of a mother and daughter, and the family is forever grateful for that lifelong friendship.

Melba’s life was a testament to love, family, goodness, kindness, and faith. She reflected bright rays of sunshine through her warm smile, soft voice, gentle spirit, and open arms. She loved to dance, enjoyed the music of Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, cherished good conversation and enjoyed her family gatherings. Her late daughter had written this tribute to her mother, a reflection that now carries even deeper meaning: “My mother is a woman like no other. She gave me life, nurtured me, taught me, shouted at me, kissed me, but most importantly, she loved me unconditionally. She is a powerful influence.”

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Rebecca Pearce; her husband, Tom Drennan, her brother, O’Neal Pearce; her sister, Shirley Tatum; her sons, Mark and Patrick Drennan; her daughter, Diane Jones; and granddaughter, Crystal Drennan.

Melba is survived by her daughter, Sherry Bownds (Mack Sorrells) of Sunset, TX; her son, Tad Drennan (Neva) of Nocona, TX; her son-in-law, Mike Jones of Arlington, TX; grandchildren, Clifton Bownds (Michelle) of Alvarado, TX; Eric Jones (Melissa) of Arlington, TX; Marquis Sorrells of Northlake, TX ; Chris Sorrells (Ashley) of Weatherford; Amanda Sorrells; Amy Colmer (Courtney) of Decatur, TX; Kimberly Carminati (Craig) of Montague, TX; Amber Bowles (Brady) of Iowa Park, TX; Ceilo Poloche of Charlotte, NC; Trisha Williams (Tyler) of North Richland Hills, TX; Brittany Saldana; Aaron Spear; 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Although our hearts are broken, we find peace and comfort in releasing her to the Lord, to be reunited in the arms of those who went before her – Melba Louise Drennan Family.

Funeral Services

Visitation

March

18

Wednesday

Emerald Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX 76060

12:00 - 1:00 pm (Central time)

Funeral Service

March

18

Wednesday

Emerald Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX 76060

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Burial

March

18

Wednesday

Emerald Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX 76060

2:15 - 2:30 pm (Central time)

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