Mildred Isbell

Mildred Allena McElyea Isbell was born October 18, 1936 in Fisher County to Allen McElyea and Ethalena Smith McElyea. Mildred departed this life on April 17, 2015 in Fort Worth following a lenghty illness. She started school in Sylvester, Texas until her father went to work for the airport in Sweetwater, Texas. They moved to Sweetwater where Mildred finished first grade. While there her father was called to fight in WWII, where he was in the Navy Seabees. He fought in the Pacific, ending up in Okinawa until the end of the war. After her father went to war, her mother moved Mildred and her little brother, Travis, to Breckenridge, Texas. Mildred started second grade there, and went all through school there, graduating with high honors from Breckenridge High School May 31, 1955. One of her favorite things was the Breckenridge Buckaroos, who won state several times. She was honored to be elected the Buckaroo Band Sweetheart, and marched with the drum major in every game. She has remained a sports fan all her life, especially fond of the Texas Rangers and The Cowboys. One of the happiest days of the family's life was when her father came home from the war on December 23, 1945. She married Douglas (Ray) Isbell May 31, 1955 in Eastland, Texas following graduation. They had three children: Ricky Ray Isbell, Allen Lee Isbell, and Sheryl Jeanette Isbell. While in Breckenridge, they were members of the Elliott St. Church of Christ. They were members of the Southside Church of Christ from 1973, where Mildred remained a member until moving to Fort Worth, October 2012, where she was a member of Western Hills Church of Christ. Ray died in February 1979 following a long battle with colon cancer. Mildred was battling breast cancer, while raising three children. She often said if the children had not worked also when they were old enough she did not know how they would have made it. Mildred worked at First National Bank/Republic Bank from July 1978 until December 31, 1984. She then worked for Dr. Ty Gore from January 2, 1985 until March 1999. In September 1999 she went to work for E. A. Connel, owner of Mr. C's Food Stores. She worked there until 2001, when she retired to take care of her aging parents. Mildred is a past member of Professional Secretaries and a past member of the singing group "The Happy Singers" under the direction of Harrell Partain until his death. Mildred is survived by her son and wife: Allen and Wanda Isbell of Escondido, California, daughter: Sheryl Hicks of Fort Worth, brother and wife: Travis and Wanda McELyea of Breckenridge, nieces: Celena and Allena of Breckenridge, nephew: John T. McELyea and wife Amy of Amarillo, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, many cousins, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband: Douglas Ray Isbell on February 9, 1979, beloved son: Ricky Ray Isbell on June 21, 2003, her father: Allen McElyea on November 5, 2005, and her mother: Ethalena McElyea on January 17, 2008. Service will be 1 PM Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Southside Church of Christ in Mineral Wells. Burial will follow in Hart Cemetery in Breckenridge. Visitation is Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Warm Place, 809 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth, TX 76104.