Tonya Kendrick

Tonya Joyce Kendrick stepped into heaven on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Hendrick Hospice following a battle with cancer and lung disease. Family and friends are encouraged to attend her memorial service on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Chapel. There will be no visitation or graveside service.

Born on March 22, 1957, in Anson, Texas, Tonya was the daughter of Louis and Nelda. She was the first of four children, followed by brothers Louis, Mitchell, and sister Jeanine.

Growing up as a child of a construction worker she lived in multiple towns between Dallas and Houston as well as West Texas eventually settling in Abilene. As a teen, she graduated high school in Frankfurt, Germany in 1975. She later married and had two sons Larry and Kenneth whom she adored. Tonya worked many jobs over her career, but especially enjoyed her time at JCPenney and later Goodwill where she excelled in supervisory roles and formed many friendships.

She enjoyed playing cards and board games with family and was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan regardless of their success or lack thereof. She loved word puzzles which led to an impressive vocabulary, often sharing (usually unsolicited) definitions and spelling of obscure words! She truly loved her family and will be deeply missed.

Tonya is survived by her sons Larry (Vicki) and Kenneth, dad Ken Lewis, brothers Louis and Mitchell (wife Christine) and sister Jeanine along with 7 nephews and a niece: Sean, Patrick, Justin, Clayton, Joshua, David, Adam, and Cristin. She was preceded in death by her father, Louis O Krause and stepmother Wanda, her mom Nelda Lewis and as a part of a large extended family many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hendrick Hospice in Abilene.