Elwanda Lee Hoffman

Elwanda Lee Hoffman, 77, of Abilene, met her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 10, 2024.   The funeral service will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.  Burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery.

Elwanda was born on April 30, 1947, in Roswell, New Mexico to the late Lorene Adams and Kenneth Earl McCoy, Sr.  She graduated Abilene High School in 1965 and married Jimmy Earl Hoffman in 1967.  She worked at Hendrick Medical Center in the pathology lab as a Registered Histologic Technician with amazing work ethics, from 1964-1976.  Elwanda was a strong, hard-working leader with a heart of gold who would help anyone in need and always fair to all.  Elwanda’s assertive, spunky and resilient nature was demonstrated many times when challenging situations arose in her life.  She was one of God’s special children who defied all odds by surviving multiple health issues.

Elwanda’s greatest joy and passion in life was when God blessed her with a precious baby boy, Jimmy Justin Hoffman (Lil’ Jim) in 1976, of whom she was so living, proud of and devoted to.  Elwanda dearly loved being a mom.  While appreciating the simplest things in life, she and her husband bought a house in 1969, living in her home for 55 years.  Elwanda could often be seen helping the homeless and freely mowing her neighbors’ lawns.  For years, she anonymously and selflessly volunteered to clean and mow the Hodges Midway and Hawley cemeteries saying “Mowing was her therapy.”  Elwanda, also known as the “Fun” aunt, will be remembered for her generosity and playful interactions with family and neighborhood youngsters.  She always looked forward to all the large family gatherings, having a great love for the sweet sound of family laughter.  Humor was an essential part of her life.

At the age of 5, Elwanda started and treasured her closely guarded collection of little black baby dolls.  Elwanda delighted in working jigsaw puzzles with sisters Leona Elkins and Martha Nigro.  She always had a fun and exciting time traveling near and far, rounding up Beanie Babies with sisters and nieces: Barbara Janiece Mobley and Thressa Elkins Stewart.  Elwanda took great pleasure in recalling her playful and hilarious childhood and crazy teenage years that included her younger brothers, Kenneth Earl McCoy, Jr.  He was such a special warm hearted and comical kid.  What fun those two had.  All the older McCoy sisters affectionately nicknamed him “Son and Boy.”  Kenneth Earl always answered to either alias with a big grin from ear to ear.  Somewhere inside of Elwanda was where she kept all her irreplaceable and loving memories….No regrets were allowed.

She had a strong fondness for the 1950’s and 60’s music.  Elwanda deeply loved and adored he ex-daughter-in-law, Diane Tiechelman Hoffman Martinez.  Elwanda was a talented seamstress and cake decorator, winning numerous First place and Best of Show ribbons throughout the years at the West Texas Fair.  Elwanda’s charismatic personality attracted many longtime friends, particularly Barbara Baird-Sanders, JoAnn Wilson Pruitt and Gay Nell Wilson-Messiner.  Elwanda thoroughly enjoyed photography, always ready to capture the beauty of all special family events.  Part of her legacy will live on through her multitude of cherished snapshots.  Elwanda’s namesake will be carried on by her great-great niece, Elwanda Naelomi Ward.  Her legacy is that of selfless giving, self-sacrifice and hard work.

Her greatest gift to her family was the ability to understand, encourage, forgive and unconditional love.  The family gives special thanks to Janiece and Taylor Mobley, Sr. and Thressa Stewart for being Elwanda’s loving and faithful caregivers.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her but will rejoice in that she is at rest in the arms of her Heavenly Father.  Elwanda was a Baptist.  Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  The One who believes in Me will live, even though they die.”  Elwanda BELIEVED!  She loved her family and friends deeply and endlessly; yet she loved Jesus even more.

Elwanda was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Earl Hoffman, son Jimmy Justin Hoffman, sisters Barbara Boyd-Tarpley, Martha Nigro and Leona Elkins, brother-in-law Freddy Elkins and great niece Delania J’von Abbott.  She is survived by brother Kenneth Earl McCoy, Jr. of Abilene, brothers-in-law Kenneth Wayne Hoffman of Mississippi and Tony Nigro of Abilene, uncle Raymond Adams of Funston, Texas and numerous family and friends.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.