Edward Duane "Eddie" Briles

Edward Duane "Eddie" Briles

Haskell

Edward Duane "Eddie" Briles resident of Haskell, Texas passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. Mr. Briles was 59. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 1, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Haskell with Mr. John Greeson and Rev. Jim McCurley officiating. Interment will follow at Rule Cemetery in Rule under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes. Visitation was held Saturday evening, November 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home located at 304 N. 2nd Street.

Eddie was born March 6, 1954 at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA to Dennis Ray Briles and Wanda Nelle McCain Briles. He graduated from Rule High School in 1972. Eddie then went on and graduated from West Texas State University in August 1976 with a B.S. in Nursing. He was commissioned into the Army as 2nd Lt. where he served 5 years as Staff Nurse at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Eddie received the Army Service Ribbon and Army Commendation Medal for service above and beyond the call of duty. He then served at Wilford Hall Medical Center as Staff Nurse in ICU at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. There, he received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 1 Bronze Oakleaf Cluster. He was honorably discharged with rank of Captain in February of 1987.

He married Teresa Ann Rhoads on May 26, 1973 in Rule, Texas, and celebrated 40 years of marriage this past May. Eddie was the owner/agent of Lindsey Insurance in Rule and worked as RN (state) Case Manager for Caprock Home Health Services in Abilene, Texas and was the weekend RN at Gibson Care Center in Aspermont, Texas. Eddie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Haskell.

Eddie enjoyed watching Baylor Football, especially from the sidelines, watching his son coach, spending time with grandchildren, and razzing friends, family, his patients, and well, everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Ray Briles; mother, Wanda McCain Briles; grandparents, George Abe Briles and Irene Felton Briles, OJ McCain and Ada Belle Place McCain, W.O. (Bill) Kittley and Elsie (Tottie) McCain Kittley, father-in-law, Eugene Rhoads.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Teresa of Haskell; daughter, Brandi Beard and husband Jon of Lubbock; son, Jason Briles and wife Jennifer of Graham; brother, Art Briles and wife Jan of Waco. In addition, he is survived by 6 grandchildren, Trinity and Brieley Anthony, Kash Beard, and Braylee, Brenna, and Brett Briles; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Serving as pallbearers for Eddie are Keith Briles, Dale Carroll, Keith Everett, Johnny Fouts, Andy Gannaway, and Jimmy Lisle.

If desired, memorials can be made in Eddie's name to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.