Zelma Jo Harbour, 98, of Abilene, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Belmont Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 1 to 2pm, prior to the service at the church.
She was born on May 22, 1920 in Dora, Oklahoma to James and Georgia Renfro. She married Elis L. Ashby on March 9, 1942. Shortly after, he was killed in France on July 9, 1944. She then married Marshall Wendall Smith on March 17, 1946. The couple had 4 children together, Marsha Jo Langford, Gail Irene Smith, Brenda Elaine Thompson, and Michael W. Smith. Marshall died of a heart attack on February 20, 1973. Finally, she married Obed Wesley Harbour on December 2, 1977. From that marriage, she inherited two children, Linda Kay Ragan and David Michael Harbour. Obed passed away on July 16, 2002. Zelma had many jobs in her life, from housekeeper to telephone operator, she had a lengthy working career. During World War II, she broke eggs at Wilson Packing Co. to make powdered eggs for the soldiers overseas. Later on during the war, she worked as a riveter for Douglas Aircraft Co. Zelma decided to go to beauty school at the age of 46 and worked for 7 years as a hairdresser.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; and 2 grandchildren, Michelle and James.
Zelma is survived by her children and inherited children; 12 grandchildren, Brent, Don, JJ, Bryan, Kray, Collyn, Zachary, Nathan, Kellan, Jaimee, Mark and Sherie; 24 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18