OBITUARY: Willena McKneely, 85, of Cherokee dies Oct. 8, 2013

Willena McKneely passed away Oct. 8, 2013, surrounded by her children at a hospital in Llano. She was a lifetime resident of Cherokee and was born May 14, 1928, to Ross and Mary Perry.

She married the love of her life, W.C. McKneely, on June 14, 1945. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Cherokee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.C. McKneely; sons-in-law Stephen Brunson and Jerry Sutton; and grandson Patrick Wayne Norris.

She is survived by her children, Joann Brunson of Lubbock, Linda and husband Ken Shannon of Dimmitt, Larry and wife Marsha McKneely of Cherokee, Betty Jean Sutton of Lometa, Patsy and husband Danny Pierce of San Saba, Jake and wife Glenda McKneely of Cherokee and Nancy and husband Eddie Stevens of Victoria.

She also is survived by 16 grandchildren, Jonathan and wife Krista Brunson of Lubbock, Stephanie Brunson of San Angelo, Will and wife Sarah Shannon of Duncan, Okla., Kendra Smither of Dimmitt, Jennifer and husband Paul Bordner of Cherokee, Michelle and husband Landon Buffe of Priddy, Dusty and wife Sadie of Waco, David Sutton of Lometa, Melissa and husband Crispin Gipson of Crowley, Raeven and Eric Alonzo of Burleson, John Norris of Arlington, Cody McKneely of Carlsbad, Curt McKneely of Carlsbad, Ross and Jessica Herridge of Portales, N.M., Lucretia Land of Katy and J.D. and wife Brianna Herridge of Katy.

She also is survived by 21 great-grandchildren; brother Wayland Perry; sister Naomi Barker; and numerous sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A service is 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at First Baptist Church in Cherokee with the Rev. Rye Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Kuykendall Cemetery in Cherokee.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Cherokee or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.