Madie Rozelle Jones Newman

(March 31, 1927 ~ January 14, 2026)

Madie, daughter of Elmo Stephen Jones and Ruby Mae Edwards, married to Robert Merle Newman and buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Madie Newman entered her heavenly home on January 14, 2026, at the age of 98. She was born on March 31, 1927, in Tuscola, Texas, to Elmo and Ruby Jones. Madie grew up in Tuscola, where she attended elementary through high school, before graduating from McMurry University in 1949.

While in college, Madie met the love of her life, Robert Newman. They were married in 1949 and shared many wonderful years together, raising two children, Kaye and Bill. Madie's life was marked by deep love for her family, faith, and a genuine gift for friendship. She touched countless lives in Abilene with her kindness, warmth, and welcoming spirit.

Madie devoted many years to a career in the Abilene Independent School District, serving in administrative roles at Abilene High School, Lincoln Junior High, and Abilene Cooper High School, where she worked for 17 years. She took great pride in her work and the students she supported. In recognition of her dedication, the Cooper annual was dedicated to her in 1990, and she was inducted into the Cooper Ring of Honor in 2011. A loyal Cougar supporter, Madie followed all Cooper High School sports, especially baseball and football.

Outside of work, Madie was talented and industrious. She was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed knitting with friends, and took pride in mowing her own grass until her mid 90's. She was also a devoted Texas Rangers fan. Above all else, Madie's greatest joy was time spent with her family, particularly her beloved great-grandchildren.

Madie was a longtime and faithful member of St. Paul Methodist Church and the Propheteers Sunday School Class, where she found friendship, fellowship, and spiritual support.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Newman; her siblings, Mary Allyn, Claire Watson, and Mac Jones. She is survived by her son, Bill Newman of Abilene; her daughter, Kaye Newman Smith and husband Clay Smith of Dallas; grandchildren Brian Smith of Denver, Colorado, and Emily Smith Pitts and husband Bill Pitts of Dallas; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Avery, Hayes, and Hallie Pitts.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and therapists at Wesley Court and the Visiting Angels, especially Donna Abels, for their compassionate care and comfort in recent years.

Funeral services will be held at Elmwood Funeral Home on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. A private burial will take place prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, tributes in Madie's memory may be made to Visiting Angels, Abilene Education Foundation - Heritage Square, or Ben Richey Boys Ranch.

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 31, 2026

3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Funeral Home Chapel

5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606

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Mary LaRue Williams Jaeger Reymers

(March 29, 1926 ~ September 28, 2025)

Mary, daughter of Walter Guy 'Jack' Williams and Fannie Mae Findlay, married 1st to Peter A. Jaeger and married 2nd to Howard Reymers.

What a beautiful, fulfilled, and meaningful life Mary LaRue Jaeger lived. Born in West Texas to Jack and annie Mae Williams, she grew up working in the cotton fields, and dedicating herself to her studies. Her love of learning endured throughout her life and was one of her most defining qualities.

Mary left Texas with a dream in her heart. That dream brought her to San Diego; a place she knew was home when she saw the palm trees. It was there she met Peter Jaeger, with whom she had two children, Julian and Jovita. She often said, “Being a mother is the most important job you will ever have.”

Later, she met the love of her life, Howard Reymers, and together they traveled the world. A woman far ahead of her time, Mary lived a remarkable and adventurous life: she invested in real estate, served in the Peace Corps, and pursued countless creative passions. She worked as an accomplished seamstress, wrote two manuscripts and poetry, water-color painted, participated in ballroom dancing, played bridge, was named runner-up for Miss California, and was a brilliant conversationists.

Mary LaRue Jaeger was a woman of immense intelligence, elegance, generosity, and strength. Her presence was a light to all who knew her. At 99 years young, her passing is a great loss to her family and all who were lucky enough to share her remarkable journey.

Mary is survived by her children, Julian and Jovita; grandchildren Rhonda, Jae, and Mireya; great-grandchildren Lydia, Jay III, and Chance; and great-great-grandchildren Carter and Eleanor.

A brief graveside ceremony, in recognition of her life, is planned.

Easter Belle McMillon Hothan

(April 17, 1927 ~ January 22, 2025)

Easter, daughter of James Luther McMillon and Tennessee Jones 'Tennie' Haynie, married to Billy Bush Hothan and buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Easter Belle McMillon Hothan, lifelong resident of Taylor County, passed away on January 22, 2025 at the age of 97. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Hamil Family Chapel, with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. A visitation with friends and family will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Hamil Family Chapel.

Easter was born on April 17, 1927 in Guion, Texas (Taylor County) to parents Luther McMillon and Tennie Haynie McMillon. Luther and Tennie raised their six children in the Dewey Primitive Baptist church. Easter was a lifelong resident of Taylor County. She attended school in Ovalo through the first grade, then transferred to Bradshaw to continue until her graduation in 1944. Upon graduation, she moved to Abilene to work for and later manage the Salle Ann Dress Shop. After two years at the dress shop, Easter went to work for Sears and Roebuck in Abilene. During her time there was awarded the "Sears and Roebuck 4 Star Award" for being the outstanding employee in the credit department.

In 1949, Easter married Bill Hothan of Ovalo and they were married almost 58 years before his death in 2007. In 1954, Easter left Sears and Roebuck to become a full time mother and homemaker when she and Bill started their family. Her passion for organizing and attending family and community gatherings led her to hosting many such functions at her home in Abilene and at the renovated "old home place" in Guion through the years. She was very active in the Bowie Elementary School PTA (past president), the Bradshaw Homecoming Association and the Ovalo Exes Association. In 1968 she was named "Coming Home Queen" at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola.

Perhaps her greatest legacy is the "Christmas Tree for All" on the roadside of Highway 83 at the family farm place at Guion. In about 1987, Easter created a project for her grandchildren of making homemade ornaments signed with the names of family and friends. She and her grandchildren decorated a small cedar tree in the fence line along the highway with the ornaments. Through the years and with the help of many family members, the tree has grown and so has the number of decorations. Travelers on Highway 83 have added hundreds of unique ornaments with their names attached. Easter did her best to contact the people who added new items to the tree each year. She hoped that in some small way, the tree brought Christmas cheer to all that passed by.

Preceding Easter in death were her parents; an infant son, Stacy Mack Hothan; her husband, Bill Hothan; sisters, Freeda McMillon and Imogene Boozer; brothers Regnal McMillon and Dub McMillon. She is survived by her son Don, and his wife Cindy Hothan; grandchildren; Amanda and her husband Kyle Wiskow; and Andy Hothan. Great grandchildren, Addison and Reece Wiskow. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Betty Rankin along with several dearly loved nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers for Easter will be Andy Hothan, Kyle Wiskow, James McMillon, Larry McMillon, Dr. Joe Rankin, John Rankin and Bryan Jennings.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Abilene Education Foundation or your charity of choice.

Visitation

Friday, January 24, 2025

5:00 - 7:00 pm

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 25, 2025

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606

Burial

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Elmwood Memorial Park

5750 US Hwy 277, Abilene, 79606

Anna Louise Phariss McGuire

(November 22, 1951 ~ May 4, 2026)

Anna, daughter of J.C. Phariss, Sr., and Tommie Leuvene Pinkston, married to William Grover McGuire.

Anna Louise McGuire died on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the age of 74.  On November 22, 1951, JC and Tommie Phariss welcomed her into this world in Abilene, Texas.  She went to school and graduated from Jim Ned.

Anna was a resilient woman throughout her life, triumphing over uterine cancer forty years ago and facing challenges that would have overwhelmed most.  She had a variety of jobs, but her most essential roles were as a mother, grandma, and great grandma.  Anna could be described as fiery, straightforward, free-spirited, and slightly ornery.  She always liked staying busy and enjoyed mowing her yard.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Johnny and Danny.  She is survived by her daughter Angela (Jeremy), son Randy (Tanya), and grandchildren Gwendalyn, Noah, Brittany, Kat, and Tanner; great-grandchildren, Chance, Kayleigh, and Kallan; brothers, Tommy, Buster (JC), and Howard.  Anna is also cherished and remembered by several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Anna's memory to following organizations: American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741) or online at cancer.org/donate or The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) (600 N. Grant St., Ste. 750, Denver, CO 80203-3528).

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Fry-Smith Funeral Home, 502 Kent Avenue, Tuscola, Texas. A service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

James Allen 'Jim' Elkins

(January 24, 1946 ~ April 23, 2026)

Jim, son of Robert Jackson 'R.J.' Elkins and Roxie Anna Bowles, married to Jo Ann Sutter and will be buried in Salt Creek Cemetery, Early, Brown County, Texas.

James Allen “Jim” Elkins was called home to be with his Lord on April 23, 2026, in Early, Texas, at the age of 80.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Salt Creek Baptist Church in Early, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Salt Creek Cemetery.

Jim was born to R.J. and Roxie Bowles Elkins on January 24, 1946, in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated from Tuscola High School and attended Howard Payne University, where he received a Pastoral Ministry Certificate. This led him to pastor at Lawn Baptist Church for several years. By this time, he was deeply involved in trading and shoeing horses while working on ranches, and thus began his lifelong love for the cowboy way of life.

He became a father in his early twenties, and proudly managed to keep his three boys alive until he met and married the love of his life, Jo—though, as he might say, “just barely.” From that point on, his family was complete and life became an even greater adventure shared with the family he loved deeply.

A horseman first and foremost, Jim had a natural gift with horses and a deep passion for the lifestyle they represent. He was also a lifelong trader and entrepreneur, always on the lookout for a good deal and never afraid to try something new. Jim never met a stranger; if he gave you a nickname or picked at you, it meant he loved you. He was full of life, laughter, and stories that could go on as long as anyone was willing to listen.

Above all, Jim loved the Lord with all his heart. His faith guided his life, and he made it his mission to share the Gospel with everyone he met. He lived boldly, loved deeply, and leaves behind countless stories and memories that will be shared for generations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jeanette Elkins Munn and her husband, Joe; his brother, Robert Vance Elkins and his wife, Vondean; and his parents-in-law, John W. and Elizabeth Sutter.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Jo Ann Elkins; his sons, Trampus Elkins, Kevin Elkins and wife Ticia, and Guy Elkins and wife Amanda. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Shi Elkins Lee and husband Sean, Kellie Jo Elkins Creech and husband Ethan, Brody “Bull” Elkins and wife Emma, and Rowdy “Rooster” Elkins and wife Kenzie; along with three great-grandchildren and two more on the way.

Jim’s legacy is one of faith, humor, grit, and a deep love for family. His presence will be greatly missed, but his stories, his spirit, and his unwavering faith will live on in all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Salt Creek Baptist Church.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” — Hebrews 12:1

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