Mozelle Wharton

(Joyce) Mozelle Heflin Wharton, 92 of Merkel, passed away at her home on August 21, 2021.  Funeral service will be on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Merkel, 301 Locust Street, with burial to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery.  There will be a visitation with the family on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Merkel.  Arrangements under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Mozelle was born June 24, 1929 to Mr. & Mrs. O. W. Heflin in Abilene, Texas. She became a Christian at age 6 and joined the First Baptist Church in Abilene where she was an active member. She attended and graduated from Abilene High School and attended Hardin-Simmons University where she met the love of her life, Marshall Wharton. They were married June 25, 1948. Marshall was employed by Lone Star Gas Co. and as a result, they were transferred to Sweetwater, Stamford, and Winters. While in Stamford, Mozelle graduated from HSU and began teaching Special Education. She also taught in Winters and Merkel. While in Winters she received her Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling. She was employed by Taylor/Callahan Educational Coop. and worked as Educational Diagnostician in Merkel, Tye, Baird, Putnam, Clyde, Trent, Wylie & Butterfield. She retired after 30 years. Marshall and Mozelle were active in the churches where they lived. Mozelle taught a Sunday School Class for 72 years. She also served in Vacation Bible School, on various committees, and visitation.

She was preceded in death by a son Charles Raymond, her parents, a sister Blanche Kite, 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, niece Janice Holland and many other relatives and friends. Survivors are her husband, daughter Blanche Elliott and husband Travis, sons James Wesley Wharton and wife Karen, David Marshall Wharton and wife Dixie, nephew Don Kite and wife Anita, Byron Kite and wife Gwen, nieces Brenda Heffernan and husband Dan, Karen Kite, grandchildren Eric Lorah, Christopher Marshall Collier and wife Enjalica, Anthony Ryan Collier and wife Nicole, Lizanne Mozelle Hatfield and husband Jon, Kristen Wharton, Halie Kay Kampert and husband Richard, 18 great-grandchildren, and many friends and relatives.

Donations can be made in Mozelle's honor to the Abilene Baptist Association, Hardin Simmons University, or the Merkel FBC Youth.  Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.