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October 10, 1932 – December 27, 2012
Gerry Louann Stephen Waddell passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2012. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 6, at Central Baptist Church, 1991 FM 158 Road, College Station, TX 77845. Chris Osborne, senior pastor at Central Baptist, will officiate. Interment will take place at a later date in Fort Davis, Texas.
Gerry was born in Gorman, to Gerald B. and Mary Stephen of Dublin. Her early years were spent in Olney, Dublin and Kermit. After graduating from Kermit High School in 1950, Gerry was married in Kermit on December 15, 1950 to Thomas C. Waddell, the son of a ranching family who settled in Winkler County in 1906. They moved to McCamey, where Tommy had a farm and where they raised a son, James Stephen, born 1952, and a daughter, Mary Leanne, born 1956. Gerry worked for the McCamey school system and then secretary-manager for McCamey Chamber of Commerce, serving on various boards. She was very involved in the U.S. Hwy 67 Association, serving as secretary, vice president, and president. During her tenure, the association helped get a road built from Ojinaga, Mexico to Chihuahua City, Mexico, and a new international bridge at Presidio.
Gerry and Tommy moved to Balmorhea in 1975, where he worked for King Ranch. Upon Tommy's death in December, Gerry moved to Alpine in 1976 where she worked for Casner Motor Co. and was a member of International Good Neighbor Council. In 1980 she returned to McCamey and worked as Senior Citizen Director, Dispatcher for the Upton County Sheriff's Dept., Office Manager for Pip Petroleum, and later Grady's Western Supply and 4 G Oil Company. In Gerry's spare time, she served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, McCamey Hospital Board and for a short time, City Council. In September 2000, Gerry moved to College Station to live with her daughter, Leanne and her son-in-law, Dave. She was a member of Rock Prairie Baptist Church then Central Baptist Church, and served as a board member with Senior Circle.
Gerry was a talented seamstress and loved to knit, crochet, cook, read, work puzzles to stay sharp and complete arts and crafts projects. She enjoyed eating out and spending time with friends and family. Gerry also looked forward to Wednesday evening supper/Bible study at Central Baptist Church and working with Senior Circle. Gerry loved to travel and relished the many trips she took with friends over the years. She especially cherished birthdays and major holidays that resulted in family gatherings as a member of the DiLeo extended family, which Gerry, Dave, and Leanne joined when her grandson Randy married Lori DiLeo, a Bryan native! But most of all, Gerry loved to help people, which she did by loving her family and friends, through service on boards, making gifts to organizations helping the less fortunate and crocheting afghans as gifts.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas C. Waddell; parents, Gerald and Mary Patrick Stephen; father-in-law, J. M. Waddell and mother-in-law, Ann Waddell Countryman.
Gerry leaves behind her son, Jim Waddell and wife, Amy of Midland; daughter, Leanne Waddell South and husband, Dave of College Station; grandchildren, Melissa Waddell Burrow and husband, Mark of Hallsville, Shari Waddell of Denton, Thomas Waddell of Midland, Jake Durham of Midland, Randy South and wife, Lori of Bryan, Michael South of Lafayette, LA and three great-grandchildren, Gianna Marie South, Thomas Christopher Waddell, and Kinsler Irwin Burrow. She is also survived by her brother, Jim Stephen and wife, Betty of Sonora; brothers-in-law, R.C Waddell and wife, Nell of Odessa; James Waddell of Ruidoso, NM; Bill Waddell and wife, Barbara of Notrees; sister-in-law, Lolisa Loenger of Murphy and many nieces and nephews.
Gerry felt particularly blessed to have had access to wonderful medical care while living in College Station. Her family would like to thank Dr. Rohini Ragupathi and Dr. Mario Lammoglia for their exceptional care. The family also would like express their gratitude to the ER, ICU, and hospital doctors and nurses at the College Station Medical Center who gave Gerry such dedicated and compassionate care after she suffered a stroke. Thanks also go to Southern Care Hospice for their gentle and loving assistance to the family. The outpouring of prayers and gifts of food and offers of assistance from neighbors, friends, and especially the "posse" at Central Baptist was overwhelming and will be forever appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Still Creek Ranch, 6055 Hearne Lane, Bryan, Texas 77808.
Share memories and tributes to Gerry at www.hillierfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
So sorry for your loss...tell Gianna her cousin Bella will be thinking of her...
January 6, 2013
Dave and Leann, I enjoyed getting to know both you and Gerry at the DiLeos on the 4th of July. What a beautiful hearted and spirited woman. May God bless you and your family at this difficult time. Sincerely, Ruby Root Trefz (Amy DiLeo's Grandmother)
Ruby Trefz
January 4, 2013
Dave and Leann, Words cannot express the sorrow on the death of Gerry. She gave so much love and kindness in every life she touched. Dec. 24th will always be so special to me as she gave us hugs and smiles and said her good by. May you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. My sincerest sympathy, Theresa, Joseph,and Spencer Lammers
Theresa Lammers
January 4, 2013
Leanne, while I did not know your Mom, getting to know you while you were at the Foundation was a treat. You were such a pleasure to work with and so very helpful. But those traits were passed down to you through your Mom, so in a way you will carry her with you every day. Blessings to you and your family.
Dianne Jaster
January 3, 2013
Leanne & Dave,
So sorry to hear about your mother, she was a wonderful lady and it was our pleasure to know her. May God be with you at this time.
Purcell Family
Gayle Purcell
January 3, 2013
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