Wilma Jean Blanchard Gates

Wilma Jean Gates passed away Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home at 542 Hickory St. in Abilene from 6-8pm. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 2:00pm at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories.

Jean was born in Gatesville, Texas on July 13, 1931 to John and Verdia Blanchard. She often told stories of a childhood full of siblings she loved deeply. She happily accepted her role as the big sister and she helped her mother care for each one. She adored her mother and father and even in her later years she clung to those precious memories as a child in a loving and full home. In 1947, she met and married Clyde Cook. Together, they gave birth to Carolyn Sue and Pamela Jean. Clyde pastored throughout the Texas panhandle and into New Mexico for many years as Jean served by his side. Somewhat overtaken by the stresses of the pastorate and away from home, Clyde and Jean divorced around 1968. Jean moved to Abilene with her youngest to begin a new life. She worked many years for the Sears Roebuck Company. It was there that she met David Gates and they eventually married in 1971. David and Jean were happily married until his death in 2008. After David’s death, Jean lived in assisted living in an apartment in South Abilene. She was known to take the great grandkids for a cruise down the halls on her walker and she made sure to keep a freezer full of ice cream ready to spoil them at every chance. Jean loved to cook and sew and garden and she made the best banana pudding you ever tasted.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, David Gates; mother and father, Verdia and John Blanchard; brothers, A.J., Dumpy, Johnny; and a sister, Sylvia Grimes. Remaining living family include daughter, Carolyn Maxwell and husband, Mike; Pam Luckenbach and husband, Kelly, all of Abilene; a sister, Glenda Barton and husband, Joe Paul of Gatesville; grandchildren, Michael Rogers, Mendy Woodward and husband, Bobby; Cindy Hawkins and husband, Dennis; Phillip Hill and wife, Lisa; Brandon Rogers and wife, Danyel, all of Abilene;. great-grandchildren, T.J., Hunter, Hudson, Nicholas, Mya, Payton, Bennett, Lucas and number nine is due to arrive any time; and numerous nieces and nephews.