Mator Beatrice Schells

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 North 7th, Abilene, with Matthew M. Lubin, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Abilene City Cemetery (I.O.O.F. Section), directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. The family will receive friends at a visitation 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at Macedonia Baptist Church.

Mator was born September 5, 1921 to Robert Lee Humphrey and Minnie Ella (Williams) Humphrey in Marlin, Texas. She attended Booker T. Washington Colored School. Sister Mator Schells accepted Christ at an early age as a member of the Marlin Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend L.J. Jackson. She took part in the Star Light Band and some activities at school. Mator lost her eye sight at a very early age, regaining it back very slowly.

She married Samuel Schells, Sr. on March 14, 1939 and they moved to San Diego, California where she lived with her Navy husband for approximately three years. The young Schells family moved back to Marlin, Texas after Sam was discharged from the Navy. With no work for a young man trying to raise a family, who now had three children, Sam Jr., Marion and David, the Schells family had to move once again. In 1951, Abilene became the city which was home for the family.

Mator joined the Macedonia Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Reverend H.D. Cumby. Sister Schells began teaching Women #2 Sunday School Class in 1952, the name changed to Women #1, under the leadership of Reverend K.R. White, but the class remained the same with Mator still strongly teaching the word of God. She was also a member of the Senior Class and Mission #2. Sister Mator always set aside Wednesdays for her Bible reading and a cup of coffee, preferring that no one call her on her day of meditation. She loved everybody and enjoyed singing, teaching, and counseling others.

Mator was employed for several years in downtown Abilene at Woolworth, changing her place of employment to Sears, Roebuck, & Company. She also worked as a nurse's aide for Hendrick Hospital and Adult Care and as a housekeeper for Dr. Scarbrough and family and for Dr. Tull and family for several years, until she retired.

Mother Schells could truly say that she had been through the storm and the rain. She was flooded out in 1979, which resulted in the loss of most of her possessions. Mator never gave up her faith and later moved to higher grounds where she could sit by the fireplace and read.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Sam Schells, Jr.; four sisters; four brothers; and stillborn twin brothers.

Mator leaves to cherish her memory, two children, David Schells and wife, Hyacinth, and Marion Schells, all of Abilene; special daughter, Jennifer Harper of Abilene; eight grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.