Mildred F. Airehart

Mildred F. Airehart, of Waco, passed away peacefully January 20, 2018. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 24, at Oakwood Cemetery. Mildred was born on May 5, 1920, to Fred and Annie Tull and grew up in and around the Lorena - Waco area, with the exception of a couple of years in Anchorage, Alaska. On October 4, 1942, Mildred married Louis “Smokey” R. Airehart. Smokey was the love of her life but unfortunately they were together just short of 10 years, as he was tragically killed in a car accident. Mildred attended cosmetology school while in her 20s and enjoyed her profession as a hairdresser until 2009. She owned and operated numerous hair salons around Waco and enjoyed and appreciated the many faithful clients she maintained throughout the years. Mildred was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, a long term member of Waco Chapter No. 7 Order of the Eastern Star, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, a member of the Waco Iris Club, and enjoyed flower gardening, especially roses. Mildred was not blessed with any children of her own; however, she had 11 siblings and she could never do enough for her many nieces and nephews. Upon her retirement in 2009, Mildred lived at the Stilwell Retirement Center and the last couple of years at St. Catherine’s Center on Neighborhood 4. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Smokey; brothers, Afton Tull, Bill Tull, Thomas Tull, and L.D. Tull; and sisters, Margaret DeLuca, Pauline Lazzaro, Louise Phillips, Ruby Tull, Betty Jean Bethke and Zena Greaser. She is survived by a brother, Paul Tull; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the care and support provided by the Neighborhood 4 staff at St. Catherine’s Center and those at the Stilwell Retirement Center. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial gifts are made to Stilwell Retirement or Meals on Wheels. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.