Linda Lawson Horsley

Linda Lawson Horsley, 62, passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. Linda was born on July 4, 1952 in Dawson, Georgia to the late Dennis Lawson and Catherine Lee Nelson. She graduated from Carver High School in Dawson in 1970. Linda then attended Georgia Southwestern University where she earned a degree in nursing in 1973. She also attended Morris-Brown College, Belford University and Hardin-Simmons University earning additional degrees and honors. Linda was well known for her dedication to medical care and patient advocacy throughout the Big Country. She worked for Summit Care and Fountainview Corp., Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Live Oak Management Group and Daybreak Ventures. She was very active with her church, Antioch C.M.E. in Abilene and she loved to listen to and play the piano.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis Lawson and Catherine Lee Nelson; and sisters, Genevieve and Geneva Lawson and Gwendolyn Nelson Howard. She is survived by her spouse, Nida Bejerano-Lawson; sons, William Horsley III (Lisa Brown) of Plains, GA, Alexius Westly (Tiffany) of Houston, TX, Nathaniel Westly (Deidra) of Columbia, SC and Khari Westly of Shreveport, LA; daughter, Tiffany Wanda Horsley (Kenneth Tate) of Abilene; brother, Leavy Nelson (Barbara) of Panama City, FL; sisters, Ernestine Cooper (Lawrence) of Augusta, GA, Delores Mercer (Giles) and Ethel Nelson both of Panama City, FL; grandchildren, Annabella Horsley, Alexis and Walker Westley, Natalie, Nathaniel Jr., Niria and Nygal Westly and Kira and Charity Westly and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, October 17, 2014 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Texas 79606. Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 N. 7th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 with Rev. Owen Crowder officiating. Burial will follow in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the Steward Board of Antioch C.M.E. Church. Honorary Pallbearers will be Alexius Westly, Nathaniel Westly, Khari Westly, Kandon Culberson, James William Turner and Kenneth Tate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Linda’s memory can be made to Antioch C.M.E. Church, 801 Plum Street, Abilene, Texas 79601. To leave an online condolence for the family, go to www.elliott-hamil.com.