Lillie Mae Abels

LILLIE MAE ABELS, 90, longtime resident of Blossom, passed from this life Wednesday May 29, 2013 at her residence, and found release from the struggle her life had become for a number of years. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct graveside rites at 11:00 a.m. Saturday June 1, 2013 at Knights of Honor Cemetery, with Jorene Carpenter officiating.

Lillie was born March 1, 1923 in the Ambia community of Lamar County, a daughter of William Hill and Mary Paralee Countryman Daniel. She attended Lamar County schools, then was trained as an LVN. She worked for the Sanitarium of Paris, and Later McCuistion Regional Medical Center from January 5, 1959 to March 2, 1986. She was a person of devout faith, and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Paris. She loved all animals, but cats found a very special place in her heart.

She married Holley Hammond Abels on July 3, 1969 in Paris. He preceded her in death on December 17, 2012.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Effie Thomas, Eva Thompson, and Dovie Stephens; a brother, Leonard James Daniel; and a sister-in-law, Anna Rebecca Dunagan.

Lillie is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Mary Lancaster, Martha Stephens, James Stephens, Billie Jean Barrett, Doris Lindsey, Jackie Daniel, Cindy Daniel, Linda Cheney, Christie Daniel, and Bo Daniel, Liz and Phil Williams, James and Sharon Dunagan, John and Donna Dunagan, David Scott Dunagan; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and a sister-in-law, Thelma Daniel Chesney.

The family wishes to thank her special caregivers, who made Lillie's last days on earth more bearable: Leslie Gordon, of Cypress Home Care; Thelma Chesney, Marissa Flowers, and Stephanie Landers.