Bessie Ellen Hurst

Bessie Ellen Hurst, 91, passed away April 12. She was born December 14, 1922 in Coleman, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Lloyd Hurst, her parents, Dave and Angie short, one sister and six brothers.

She is survived by her 2 children, son, Lloyd Hurst, Jr. and his wife Teri of Victoria, Texas; daughter Nikki Hallmark and her husband Verl of Brownwood, Texas; three grandsons, Gary Hallmark and his wife Beth of Austin, Texas; Brian Hurst of Conroe, Texas; Brett Hurst and his wife Christina of Liberty Hill, Texas; one granddaughter, Cathy McPhee and her husband Mark of Austin, Texas. She had three great grandsons - Colby, Max and Aaron; eight great granddaughters - Samantha, Alaina, Baily, Kirsten, Koty, January, Gillian and Kali.

Bessie Ellen grew up and attended school in Coleman, Texas where she met and married her husband and lifelong partner, James Lloyd Hurst. Both their children were born in Coleman. They were members of the North Coleman Baptist Church. She worked at the local garment factory and a leather tooling company in Coleman while Lloyd worked at Rockwell Bros. Lumber Company.

They later moved to Rotan, Texas where Lloyd was manager of Rockwell lumber yard and Bessie Ellen worked as a bookkeeper. They were also active members of the First Baptist Church.

Bessie Ellen and Lloyd retired and moved to Bastrop, Texas. They were members of the Calvary Baptist Church. They had many friends at the Bastrop Senior Center, church and the neighbors. They loved to play golf, hike and collect rocks and petrified wood for their yard. They traveled extensively by car, motor home, bus tours and Amtrack. They especially enjoyed taking their four grandchildren with them on vacations. Bessie Ellen taught herself to paint and enjoyed painting many pictures. She loved to laugh and tease with everyone.

Bessie Ellen’s father passed away when she was very young and her mother had a difficult time raising the children alone. Bessie Ellen learned to be thrifty and tough-minded. She was a very devoted mother and was active in her children’s lives. She made a wonderful home for them and her husband who always called her “kid”. She was most happy when her home was overflowing with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. On holidays she was always whistling and cooking.

She loved her family and friends. She loved life.

A celebration of Bessie's life will be held Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm and the Funeral Service at 2:00pm with burial following at Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop.