Erna Earlyne Axe

On September 5, 2024, Erna Earlyne Axe passed away peacefully at Arbor House Assisted Living Facility in Marble Falls, Texas. She was 101 years old and the last of the Greatest Generation among her family and friends.
Erna Axe was born on April 19, 1923, in the small, northeast Texas town of Roxton, just outside of Paris. She was the only child of Lawrence Barger and Obie Jones Barger.
Due to her father's frequent moves to find work, Erna traveled a lot during her early years but lived in Abilene during a large portion of her school years. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1940. During high school, Erna (then called Earlyne) was on the drill team and an excellent student, consistently being on the honor roll.
Erna began college at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, but due to financial needs and the start of America's involvement in World War II, she left school and went to work for the US government in a secretarial capacity. Her work led her to move to Chicago, where she lived in an apartment with 3 other girls. She remembered her time in Chicago as an exciting time where she lived life to the fullest as a single woman. Following the war, she moved back to Texas to be close to her mom.
On June 17, 1949, Erna married Albert Raymond Axe and they made a home in Garland, Texas where the Axe family had deep roots. Raymond's grandfather, Carl Axe, and his wife, Charlotte, were early settlers of Garland, having arrived there in 1863. Erna lived in Garland for over 60 years and enjoyed the close family relationships in the Garland area.
Erna and Raymond's two children, Brenda and Al, were born in 1952 and 1954, respectively. Erna took great pleasure in being a stay at home mom, providing love and guidance to her children during their formative years. Their friends loved coming to the Axe house because Erna would always find time to make cookies or some other goodie. During this time, Erna also worked as an Avon representative and hosted lively Tupperware parties at the Axe household.
When the children became more self sufficient, Erna pursued her bookkeeping talents, working for the local family doctor for many years as both the receptionist and accountant. She later worked for a local dentist in a similar capacity. Erna loved working with numbers and balancing the books. She would keep detailed records, not only at work but also at home. She enjoyed stretching every dollar to make ends meet. One of her common sayings was "Let's put the pencil to it and see if we can make it work."
Erna and Raymond were founding members of the First Lutheran Church in Garland. She was a faithful Christian. Her faith gave her a very positive attitude during her life. In this regard, she was greatly influenced by her loving mother, Obie, with whom she enjoyed almost daily contact until her mom's death in 1992 at the age of 91. Erna was always at peace, trusting the Lord to look out for her in all areas of her life.
Erna is survived by her son, Albert Raymond Axe, Jr, his wife, Natalie, four grandchildren, Trey and RJ Axe, Tanya Killgore, and Alan Tapley, and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond, daughter, Brenda Tapley, and son-in-law, David Tapley. Erna enjoyed living at the Arbor House during the final years of her life and greatly appreciated the loving care she received there. In lieu of flowers, the Axe Family requests that donations be made in the name of Erna Earlyne Axe to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 278, Roxton, TX 75477.