Liz Wells Joplin

A native of Texas, she was born in Paris to the late Hiram Richard and Ruby Lucille (Ledlow) Wells. She spent much of her youth in Duncanville, where her parents were educators. As an adult, she moved to Fort Worth in the city’s Wedgwood section where she raised her family.

Liz is survived by her adult children, Sidney Scott (Susan) Acker of Newport News, Va., Jeffery Richard Acker of Duncanville and Lori Beth (Chris) Cole of Spring Branch. She was a loving grandmother to Charlotte Lucille Acker, Julia Frances Acker, Taylor Byron Acker, Chelsea Rae Acker, Chandler Reece Cole and Aubrey Shea Cole. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Kinsler Byron Acker, her children’s father, Albert Sidney Acker of Duncanville, cousin Bennie (Billy) Wise, who was like a sister, of Fort Worth, and long-time gentleman friend David Mackenna of Weatherford.

She was an accomplished student at Duncanville High School, graduating as valedictorian and broke the glass ceiling as the first female drum major.

She followed in her parents’ career footsteps in Education after her 1961 graduation from Texas Christian University, where she was in the marching band and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. After teaching in Duncanville for several years, Liz taught English for the Fort Worth Independent School District for more than 30 years, primarily at Stripling Middle School.

Liz had many outlets to express her creative passion. She was an accomplished seamstress who sewed many outfits, jackets and purses. She applied her exceptional talent to make her son, Scott’s senior prom tuxedo plus her daughter’s Scarlett O’Hara style prom dress. She also designed and sewed many dresses and costumes for her granddaughters. She created a Christening dress from her daughter in law’s wedding dress that was worn by Charlotte, Julia and Aubrey. Her love of sewing was shared with many friends resulting in regular trips to Pursley’s in Duncanville and other fabric stores to obtain her notions. She created many paintings while tole painting in the mid to late 70’s. Liz enjoyed cooking delicious traditional Southern dishes, especially desserts! She enjoyed hosting friends and family at her home. She spent several years as a dancer, dancing with an adult tap dance group, clogging group and a square dance group. All three of her children square danced with her. Following retirement from teaching, she volunteered at Baylor All Saints Hospital and the Bass Concert Hall. She was a long-time member at First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. She also adored animals, especially her late beloved toy poodle Sugar Boy.

Memorial services will be July 8 at First Methodist Church in Fort Worth at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in Wesley Hall. Inurnment will be private.

Contributions in her memory may be made to any no-kill animal shelter or animal rescue organization, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, (lls.org) or the American Red Cross Blood Bank (redcrossblood.org).