Margaret Hallmark

Margaret Inez (Wood) Hallmark, longtime resident of Ballinger, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at age 86 at her home.

She was born December 10, 1923 to Robert John and Ida Lee (Wiley) Wood. She was married to the love of her life for 68 years, Herman Lester Hallmark, on October 3, 1941.

The couple lived in Arizona from 1947 to 1949 before making their permanent home in Ballinger. They were members of Seventh Street Baptist Church. During the early days of Ballinger, Margaret worked at the Mercer Shoe Factory until it closed. She was employed with BISD as a cafeteria worker for 13 years and taught ceramic classes for over 20 years. She was always a devoted wife and homemaker. She took great interest, pride, and joy in her family and their accomplishments and activities. Margaret and Herman probably hold the record as the most faithful, loyal Bearcat fans in the history of Ballinger Schools.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Thelma Bowen, Erline Wood, Mildred Cotton, and Merlene Albright; two brothers, Robert Lee Wood and Milton Wood; one son, Calvin Hallmark; one granddaughter, Kimberly Hallmark, and one great-granddaughter, Jenna Mansell.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Herman, of Ballinger; two sons, Alvin Hallmark and wife Betty of Ballinger, and Jerry Hallmark and wife Patti of Abilene; two daughters, Charlotte Gunyon and husband O. C. of Mexia, and Sharon Nixon and husband Steve of Ballinger.

Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, Angie Halfmann and husband Mark of Ballinger, Dana Jackson and husband Brad of Austin, Brian Hallmark of Ballinger, Jeff Hallmark and wife Susan of Abilene, Jason Hallmark and wife Missy of Midland, Jennifer Hallmark of Rotan, Jaime McNab and husband Brandon of Little Rock, Arkansas, Beau Dempsey and wife Holly of Abilene, Paige Dempsey of Abilene, Sherry Mansell and husband Jeff of Buda, Charla Valenzuela and husband Brian of Denton, Wendy Autrey and husband Mark of Cortez, Colorado, Clay Gunyon and Calista of Lolita, Rebecca Likes and husband Jesse of Ballinger, Brandi Carlisle and husband Bryan of Ballinger, Lance Nixon and wife Amy of Sweetwater, and Tanner Nixon of Ballinger.

Margaret also leaves behind 30 great-grandchildren, Brooke, Jill, and Justin Halfmann; Jaxon and Jeremy Hallmark; Dakota and Presley McNab; Logan Dempsey; Brianne and Sidney Mansell; Landrie, Cannon, and Laken Valenzuela; Sierra, Britlyn, and Dillon Autrey; Brittney and Hannah Gunyon; Crystal and Ashley Likes; Keira, Sage, and Reese Carlisle; Katy, Hannah, and Hallie Nixon; and numerous extended family and friends. She will be especially missed by our special household pet and companion, “Pee-Wee.”

Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, April 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 at Seventh Street Baptist Church with Rev. David Williams and Bro. Bobby Broyles officiating. Burial will follow in Old Runnels Cemetery, near Ballinger.

Memorials may be made to Seventh Street Baptist Church, P. O. Box 663, Ballinger, Texas 76821 or to a favorite charity.