Remembering Una Abbott 2-27-1926 to 11-21-2015

   

Una Hart Abbott

Kyle's maternal grandmother, Una Hart Abbott answered the call of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to "Come home", Saturday November 21st, 2015.  She was surrounded by His loving presence, and uplifted by the prayers of her family, and many brothers and sisters in Christ.  Her blue eyes are twinkling in God's great universe.  

   She was born February 27, 1926 in Scurry County Texas to William Dewitt "Hoot" Hart, and Ruby Pearl Davis Hart, Texas pioneers and ranchers.  She died the same date as her father, W. D. Hart, Sr., who died November 21st, 1987.    Una was named after her aunt, Una Hart Wade.  She grew up on the family ranch in Gaines County, Texas with her parents and two brothers, W. D. Hart, Jr., and Jimmie C. Hart.  In her youth, Una was a member of the First Baptist Church of Seminole, and the Y.W.A. Girls.  Una graduated from Seminole High School in Seminole, Texas at mid-term in January 1943 with honors.    

Una's Family at her memorial in Temple, TX

   Una then enrolled in Texas Tech University at Lubbock, Texas, where she met the love of her life, James Darwin Abbott of Bradshaw, Texas, a marine recently returned from the Pacific Theater of WWII.  At a campus social, Una asked James to dance, but James said "no", since he really had never danced; but James quickly realized he was "foolish" for turning down such a pretty girl!  He got up, apologized for the slight, they were engaged the next year, and married on December 23, 1945 at Una's parents' home in Seminole, Texas. Her brother, W.D. Hart, Jr., had to give her away in marriage, since her Dad wasn't ready to "get rid of her!"  The marriage coincided with Una's graduation from Texas Tech University at the top of her class.  At Texas Tech, she was a member of the Omega Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron sorority.   

   Una next began teaching at Hutchinson High School while James finished his Master's degree at Texas Tech in Agronomy.  James jokes that he "married up", since Una was very scholarly, and helped him pursue his university degrees.  James graduated in 1948, and began a long career with the newly formed Soil Conservation Service (USDA).  They lived in Ballinger, Lamesa, Lubbock, and Littlefield, and moved to Temple, Texas in 1961, the state headquarters for the SCS.    James and Una were blessed with three daughters:  Linda, Susan, and Nancy. Una was an affectionate mother who lovingly used her expert seamstress skills to create countless beautiful outfits for her daughters. She also fostered and encouraged a love of the arts in her girls.  Throughout her home, there were always quiet reminders that the source of her strength in this life was God.  The open Bible, Scripture study notes, and daily devotional books testified of her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ.  Two of her favorite hymns were "Sweet Hour of Prayer", and "How Great Thou Art".  

Una's husband, son-in-laws, brother-in-law, grandson and great grandson

   Una loved the world of academia, and studied her whole life. She did income tax preparation, pursued her real estate license, worked as a consulting dietician at central Texas nursing homes, and went to Mary Hardin-Baylor to become a registered nurse.  Una was also a motivational coach for her family and friends.  She thought everyone should be learning and active in this world we live in!  She loved animals, and had many pets along the way:  Happy, Bridgette, Gretchen, Petey, Max, Sadie, and Willy-Molly.  Una always had a garden, was an avid reader, walked three miles everyday, always voted, kept up with the stock markets and business world, and she loved music, like the Chieftans and Asleep at the Wheel.  She had a passion for antiques, attending estate sales, and stopped at all antique stores, looking for that special treasure.

   Una's dry wit was refreshing and always brought a laugh.  Once, when talking about who committed a high profile crime in Dallas, she was asked who she thought did it; her reply was: "Check the family; they're the only ones that know you well enough to want to kill you!”

   Una's English, Irish, and Scotch heritage began early in the 1600's in the United States with General Abraham Wood.  Her great-great uncle, James Chamberlain Jones invented "stump speaking" when running for governor of Tennessee.

   Survivors include her husband James, daughter Linda and husband Rick Leahy Smith of Temple, Texas;  daughter Susan and husband James 'Jim' Gordon Behnke of Buford, Georgia; daughter Nancy and husband Major General(Retired) Eddy Spurgin of Big Spring, Texas; her brother Jimmie C. Hart, of Seminole, Texas; grandson Jonathon Kyle Behnke and wife Jennifer of Woodstock, Georgia; great-grandson James Kyle Behnke; grandchildren Robyn, Dorci, Clint, and their families; grand-dogs Maggie, Charlie, and Emma; and many Hart and Davis cousins.

Una's three daughters, sister-in-law, and granddaughter-in-law

   She was preceded in death by her younger brother, W.D. Hart, Jr., who was killed in a tragic accident at the age of 21; her parents: W.D. Hart, Sr., and Ruby Hart.    Una's family would like to thank First United Methodist Church of Temple, Gentiva Hospice Care, the Visiting Angels, and all the friends who have held vigil for our beloved wife, mother, sister, and daughter.  We have lost not only a valued family member, but our very dearest best friend.

     Honorary pallbearers are all Soil Conservation Service employees and retirees. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Box 773, Temple, Tx 76503.

   For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16