OBITUARY: Hilda Lee Whitson, 89, of Kingsland dies May 23, 2013

Hilda Lee Whitson, 89, of Kingsland, Texas, went to her heavenly home May 23, 2013.

A celebration of her life was May 27 at Highland Lakes Church of Christ in Kingsland with Pastor Joe Winnett officiating. Burial followed at the Fall Creek Cemetery near Spicewood.

Pallbearers included her grandsons and great-grandson, Travis Duncan, Chris Jistel, Chad Jistel, Jared Whitson, Steven Whitson, Stewart Whitson and Baylor Jordan.

Hilda was born in Spicewood to Ivy and Leola Kinser Hollingsworth in 1924. She graduated from Cameron High School.

Hilda and Billy Tom Whitson were married Aug. 30, 1941. The two were married 49 years. From their marriage came five children, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Early in their marriage, Billy served in the Philippines during World War II for three years. Then, the couple lived in Spicewood and the Belton area until 1962. They spent the remainder of their years in Kingsland until he preceded her in death in 1991. Hilda lived the remainder of her years independently in her home in Kingsland.

Hilda was preceded in death by her husband; father; mother; and sister Reba Dever.

She is survived by her siblings Jimmy Hollingsworth of Bennington, Okla., and Gladys Dilworth and Dorothy Glenn, both of Kingsland; children Patricia and husband Martin Jistel of Buda, Gloria and husband Tommy Duncan of Kingsland, Billy and wife Linda of San Angelo, Deb and husband Randy Scott of Llano and Mark Whitson of Kingsland; 11 grandchildren, Travis and wife Lori Duncan of Hutto, Kim and husband Donovan Payten of Hutto, Angie and husband Dale Bauman of Valley Springs, Dawnya and husband Clay Perry of Llano, Chris and wife Deborah Jistel of Austin, Chad and wife Melissa Jistel of Austin, Jaime Whitson of San Angelo, Jared and wife Ellen Whitson of Austin, Stephania Walker of Minneapolis, Steven and wife Erin Whitson of Tampa, Fla., and Stuart and wife Melissa Whitson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and 18 great-grandchildren, Brandon and Daylon Collins, Kaleb Payten, Hannah Duncan, Lena and Layla Whitson, William, Kate and Thomas Whitson, Ashton Bollier and Dalton Bauman, Baylor Jordan, Caylyn and Kollman Perry, Tate Jistel, Thomas and Kaitlyn Jistel and Hollin Whitson.

She also leaves behind her loving and caring sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and faithful friends at Highland Lakes Church of Christ, where she attended for the last 50 years.

Billy and Hilda raised their children in the country until they moved to Kingsland. Their children have vivid memories of their family growing their own food and raising farm animals. Hilda was an excellent seamstress and made most of her family’s clothes. But her specialty was her homemade pecan, chocolate, coconut and apple pies and her peach cobblers. She regularly practiced her gift of hospitality.

She was resourceful and a good steward of all that God gave her. She enjoyed playing sports and played on a fast-pitch baseball team, was in a couple’s bowling league, played volleyball with her kids and grandkids and water-skied into her late 50s. She rarely turned down a domino game at home or at the senior center.

Our Mee Maw spent countless hours at her kitchen bar playing marble games with the grandkids and great-grandkids. She made everyone feel as if they were her favorite person.

Hilda loved her church family and invested her time there. She taught Sunday school, taught vacation Bible school and volunteered at the local nursing home. Even into her 89th year, she was able to drive her car and remain active socially.

Throughout her life there have been joys, but also hardships that would have sunk some folks. Those who knew her best knew her strength and joy came from her strong Christian faith, not her circumstances. She touched each of our lives for the better. She will be greatly missed.

The family requests memorials to be made to Highland Lakes Church of Christ or to a charity of their choice.

Arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 900 Industrial Blvd. in Kingsland, (325) 388-6767. Condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or made at www.whhfuneralhome.com.