Iva Wester

Iva Lee Wester (92) passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017, at her home in Abilene, TX.

Iva was born August 18, 1925, in Henrietta, TX, to Sadie (born Engledow) and Dawson Stone. She was the second of ten children and graduated from Nocona High School in Nocona, TX.

After graduation, Iva was working at the bank in Nocona when a man named James Wester came in to cash his paycheck, and when Iva charged him ten cents for the transaction, James raised a fuss. They later ran into each other at the local drug store and began dating. Iva and James were wed in 1945 and remained happily married for 52 years until James's passing in 1997.

When the oil boom in West Texas happened, James and Iva moved from Nocona, TX. They were transferred often, so Iva made their home in several locations, including San Angelo, TX, Snyder, TX, Colorado City, TX, Ballinger, TX, Odessa, TX, and Hobbs, NM, before moving to Abilene, TX, in 1953 where they raised their two children, Jimmy and LeAnn, and spent the rest of their lives.

It was also in Abilene in the 1970s where Iva fulfilled her dream of owning a boutique, opening and operating a children's dress shop called The Doll House in River Oaks Village.

Iva was a member of Wylie Baptist Church and enjoyed oil painting, crocheting, crossword puzzles, card games like solitaire and bridge with ladies' groups, chats with family and friends over coffee, dining out, traveling, shopping, her weekly hair and nail appointments, spoiling her grandchildren, and spending time at their vacation home in Ruidoso, NM. Always a gracious host, family often gathered for holidays at Iva's home. She was a wonderful cook and for many years organized and hosted a three-day Thanksgiving celebration for as many as 60 people. The main priority any given holiday or weekend, though, was making sure nothing got in the way of Iva and her sisters cheering on their beloved Dallas Cowboys!

Iva is preceded in death by her parents, Sadie and Dawson Stone; her husband, James Wester; her son, Jimmy Wester; her sisters, Jerldine Stone, Juvene Stone Cain, and Alma Faye Bolen; her brothers Haven Stone, Billy Stone, and Larry Wayne Stone; brothers-in-law Robert Cain and Bill Enis; and great-grandson, Caleb Wester.

Iva is survived by her daughter, LeAnn (Dale) Doby of Abilene; daughter-in-law, Bessie Wester of Aspermont, TX; seven grandchildren: Cory (Mary) Wester of Odessa, TX, Traci (David) Simons of Newport News, VA, Casey (Tracy) Wester of Winchendon, MA, Brittney (Clay) Corley of Waco, TX, Adam (Courtney) Wester and Ashley (D) Lott of Abilene, and Jamie Doby of Waco, TX; 14 great grandchildren; sister Wanda Enis; brothers Virgil (Olga) Stone and R.V. (Faynell) Stone; sister-in-law Vernell Polk; and 17 loving nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating Iva's life will be held Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 11:00 am at Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX.

Visitation will be held the evening of Wednesday, October 18, 2017, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX.

Any memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association - North Central Texas Chapter, 2630 West Freeway, Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to Iva's caregivers for the past six-and-a-half years, past and present, who made sure she was well taken care of around-the-clock, making it possible for LeAnn to spend time with family, friends, kids, and grandkids, just like Iva would have wanted: Kandace Alejandro, Kathy Blevins, Darla Cooper, Diane Doby, Alli Dockter, Melanie Fernandez, Juanita Gonzales, McKinze King, Rebecca King, Tempie Kirk, Leta Marsh, Kat McKissick, Vivian Price, Evelyn Townsend, Allison Watson, and Tina Watson.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Wylie Baptist Church
6097 Buffalo Gap Rd
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, October 19, 2017
11:00 am

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606