Elsie Mae Earles

McLean, TexasElsie Mae Earles, 86, of McLean, died Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, in Pampa.Services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Lefors. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.Mrs. Earles was born Feb. 10, 1927, in Gray County to James Clyde Holloway and Mary Pauline Stewart Holloway. She grew up 10 miles north of McLean at what many called Holloway?s Corner, in a town that never really got started called Back City. She was the oldest of three girls and grew up doing farm chores and helping at the Corner Service station her father operated. She lived through the Dust Bowl, the Depression, and World War II helping the family meet their needs during extremely difficult times. She grew up strong and tough, but nothing compared to her compassion for others and love of family.She married Willie Burton ?Bill? Earles on Feb. 14, 1946, in McLean. They lived in McLean and Lefors until 2002 when they moved to Littlefield. After Willie Burton died in 2007, she moved back to McLean and resided in the McLean Care Center. Over the years, she worked at many different jobs to make ends meet. Her jobs included serving as church secretary at the First Baptist Church in McLean, as a cashier at several different grocery stores, and managing the Pirates Den and later the Hill Top Caf? in Lefors. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lefors.She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Burton ?Bill? Earles and a son, James David Earles, on Feb. 20, 1984.Survivors include a daughter, Wilma McMinn and husband Bill of Lefors; a son, Billy Ray Earles and wife Margit of Columbia, Maryland; two sisters, Mildred Cannon of Canyon and Mary Hinson and husband Powell of San Marcos; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.Pallbearers will be grandsons Christopher Dean McMinn, Clint McMinn, Wesley Earles, Justin Earles, Christopher Earles, and David Earles.Memorials may be made to Gray County Association for Retarded Citizens, P. O. Box 885, Pampa, TX 79066-0885.