ERMA LEE WINK GARTMAN

ROBERT LEE - Erma Lee Wink Gartman, a very special wife, mother, mawmaw AND great ma went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 after a brief illness. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Robert Lee Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Brad Gartman, Kenneth Gartman, Wes Hood, Aaron Hood, Eric Hood, Joe Blair, Grant Flowers, Justin Gartman, Brandon Gartman, and Brycen Gartman. Burial will follow in the Robert Lee Cemetery. Services are under direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Erma Lee was born on June 21, 1928, in Wall, Texas, the oldest child of Leslie and Erma Wink. She lived in the Wall Community until 1944, when she moved with her parents to Graham Valley seven miles north of Robert Lee. Erma Lee attended schools at Wall, San Angelo and Robert Lee. She received the D.A.R. Award in Home Economics in San Angelo. After moving to Robert Lee, she participated in several activities at Robert Lee High School and was the Salutatorian of her graduating class at Robert Lee in 1945. Douglas and Erma Lee were married Sept. 29, 1946, at the Robert Lee Methodist Church and recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. They have been ranching and farming in the Sanco area since their marriage. They lived in the Sanco area for eight years before moving to the Perkins-Prothro Camp at Silver until 1964. They returned to their current home at Sanco in 1964. She was a member of Robert Lee Baptist Church. One of her favorite hobbies was quilting. She pieced numerous quilts. Each of her children received a specially made quilt, as well as each of her 15 grandchildren. She loved doing crossword puzzles and sudoku puzzles. One of the things she enjoyed most was playing cards and games with her family and everyone wanted to be on her team no matter what game they were playing. She had a great sense of humor which included telling jokes and pulling practical jokes on people. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Erma Wink. Erma is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Douglas Gartman of Robert Lee; seven children, Dennis Gartman and wife Linda of Ganado, Texas, Rhonda Hood and husband, Bill of Robert Lee, Texas, Judy Blair and husband, Roy of Robert Lee, Vicki Flowers and husband, Walter of Ira, Texas, Kerry Gartman and wife, Frankie of Robert Lee, Jana Helaire of Keller, Texas, and Randy Gartman and wife, Shea of Garden City, Texas; her brothers and sisters, Milburn Wink of Robert Lee, Leslie Nell Hanky of Virginia, Kenneth Wink of Fluvanna, Kay Ledbetter of Lubbock, Robert Wink and Harvey Wink, both of Robert Lee, Texas. Miss Me - But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room, Why cry for a soul set free. Miss me a little - but not too long, And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me - but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take, And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart, Go to the friends we know. And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, Miss me - but let me go.

March 13, 2008
Terri and Dickie Faught
Kerry and Frankie - We are so sorry for your loss and will hold you up in our thoughts and prayers in your time of grief and sorrow. God bless you and your family. Love, Terri and Dickie Faught Seminole, TX

March 13, 2008
Marilayn Sword
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Marilyn (Reid) Sword

March 13, 2008
Patty Bloodworth Schniers
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. I pray that the Lord will help all of you through your grief.

March 13, 2008
Ronnie and Debbie Ruff
We wish so much that we could be there with you today to help celebrate Erma Lee's wonderful life! Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers! Love and Blessings to you all, Debbie and Ronnie

March 13, 2008
ALAN RAMAGE
Just wanted to let you know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Love Alan and Vicke

March 13, 2008
LeRoy McGallian
Douglas and family, my prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. We can hold to God's promise of a reunion in heaven. God Bless you and your family.