Gwen Brice

Gwen Dora Brice, 72, of Ballinger passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 at San Angelo Community Medical Center.

She was born September 12, 1943 to Helen Maurine (Hayley) and Hardy Miles Kirkland at Hayrick Mountain in Coke County, Texas.

Gwen was a natural-born chef who spent most of her working years blessing others with her culinary talents. She ran various restaurants and later worked as the kitchen captain at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Tulia, Texas before retiring in 2007 and moving to Ballinger. Her retirement began her next “career” as full-time mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother. She spent much of her free time at the church volunteering in any way she could. She lived a purpose-filled life, and there is no doubt she is now rejoicing in Heaven with her Lord and Savior.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Hardy and Helen Kirkland; both of her sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda and Les Caperton, Jetty and Glen McNight; and her brother, Bruce Hardy Kirkland.

Gwen is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Julie and Joe Byrd, Cristi and Dwain Horton; five granddaughters, Brooklyn Cmerek, Tesla Flatt and her husband Kolby, Hayley Horton, Kaycee Horton, and Kimberly Horton. Also surviving are a great-grandson, Jentry James Flatt; three nieces, one nephew, five great-nieces, and one great-nephew.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, November 8, at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, November 9, at First United Methodist Church of Ballinger with Rev. Buddy Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Hayrick Cemetery in Bronte.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist, P. O. Box 525, Ballinger, TX 76821.