Sybill Allene Gatlin

Allene Gatlin March 2, 1927 September 9, 2015 Sybill Allene Gatlin, age 88, of Waco, Texas, departed peacefully at home on September 9, 2015, with family members surrounding her. A memorial service and reception will be held beginning at 4:00 p.m., Monday, September 14, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1001 N 18th A St., in Waco. The family invites you to join us in giving thanks to our Lord Jesus for Allene's life and celebrating the gift of joy and service that she gave to so many of us. Visitation will be 6:00 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Born in Comanche Springs just west of McGregor, to Gaston Patrick and Odessa Byford, Allene was the younger of two children. She grew up in the country and attended McGregor schools where she met her future husband, Albert Weldon Gatlin. As a young adult she moved to Waco and attended secretarial school. Allene and Weldon were married on October 25, 1945, made their home in Waco, and invested their lives in their children, their community, and North Waco Baptist Church. Allene taught Sunday school, led Cub Scouts, and mothered many children in the neighborhood. After Weldon's death in 2006, she moved into her son Joe's home and became a member of Hope Fellowship Mennonite. Allene was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Marshall Lee Byford; and two sons, Dennis and Bob. She is survived by her son, Joe Gatlin and wife, Nancy; and grandchildren, Chris Gatlin, Kyle Gatlin, Stacy Gatlin and her husband, Jimmy Teal, Gabriela Colman and her husband, Alfredo, and Anali Gatlin. The family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the community of Hope Fellowship and the staff of Home Instead and Interim Hospice for their care, support, and love of Allene. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hope Fellowship, 1721 Sanger, Waco, Texas, 76707. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.