Jeanne Hutto

She was born April 18, 1924 in Haskell, Texas, the daughter of Reba and John Endacott. Her beloved husband, Abe Hutto, preceded her in her passing. The couple had no children and is survived by numerous cousins, including first cousins, Franklin D. Waddell of College Station, Texas, Don Alan Waddell of Roby, Texas, Bobby Dyer of Ft. Worth, Texas, Vida Marie Simpson of Kermit, Texas, Billy Dyer of Lubbock, Texas, and Jerry Dyer of Lubbock, Texas.

Jeanne was raised in Ballinger, Texas. After graduating from high school, she moved to Austin, Texas. During World War II, Jeanne served in the Western Union office in Marfa, Texas, and Del Rio, Texas. She met her future husband Abe while in Del Rio. They were married in Hobbs, New Mexico on May 17, 1947. They spent the rest of their lives ranching in south Texas and the Lakeway area. Abe followed the rodeo circuit, Jeanne often driving him to their next rodeo. They loved to dance and they loved their dogs and horses. While Abe worked the ranch, Jeanne worked for years in the Texas Legislature. Their neighbor at their ranch near Austin was J. Frank Dobie.

The hardscrabble land on which they ranched and raised goats became a significant piece of what became Lakeway. Both Abe and Jeanne were joyous people who were loved by those who knew them. Jeanne loved bridge and they enjoyed luncheons with their many friends in the area. They were humble, modest people who lived an improbably outsized life.

Jeanne epitomized grace and kindness; she was the consummate Southern gentlewoman. She was generous with friends and family. Often she extended her generosity quietly, preferring to help without it being known. She was devoted to her husband, Abe, a veteran of the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific War. She quietly laughed and gently rebuffed her husband when he would tell a favorite joke.

A wonderful woman has passed and there are few left like her.

The family will receive friends from Noon to 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with a Celebration of Jeanne’s Life at 1:00 P.M., officiated by Dr. Stephen Waddell. Interment will follow the Services at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.