Wilma Frances Hurley

Wilma Frances  Hurley age 94, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, while in the care of Legacy at South Plains in Lubbock, Texas. Wilma was born on October 12, 1930, in Blair, Oklahoma, to Kirby and Ada Chisum. In 1937, her family moved to Lubbock County, settling one mile south of the present Lubbock Cooper High School, where she later graduated in 1948.

Wilma was the next to the youngest of nine children. She grew up working hard on the cotton farms in South Lubbock County, instilling in her a strong work ethic that would stay with her throughout her life. After graduating from Cooper High School in 1948, she began working for “Ma Bell” as a telephone operator.

It was during her time at the telephone company that a series of prank collect calls orchestrated by Moody Hurley and Doc Marricle to Soviet Union leader “Joseph Stalin” led her to meet her future husband, Dan, “Moody” Hurley. They met in person soon after and were married in Slide, Texas, in July 1951.

Moody, who had already served four years in the Navy at the end of World War II, joined the Air Force in 1951. As newlyweds, Wilma and Moody moved to Albuquerque in 1951 before being transferred to Chanute Field in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. There, Wilma continued her work as a telephone operator while Moody served as an Air Force accountant during the Korean War.

Their family began to grow with the birth of their son, Daniel, in 1953. Three months later, the family moved to Austin, Texas, where Dan Moody attended the University of Texas Law School with his high school best friend, Madison Sowder. Wilma played a significant role in Madison’s life, who was affectionately known as “Square.”  Wilma introduced Square to his future wife and lifelong partner, Francis.

In 1955, the Hurley family returned to Lubbock, where Dan Moody and Madison began their law practice, earning their first fee of $25 three months later. They practiced together for over 50 years. Wilma dedicated herself to raising her growing family, leaving her job at the telephone company as Moody began to establish his career. Their family expanded with the births of Kirby in 1956, Les in 1957, and Pat in 1967.

Family and faith were central to Wilma’s life. She strongly believed in raising her children in the church and ensured that her sons attended Trinity Baptist Church on 34th Street every time the doors were open, as long as they were living at her home. Wilma was deeply religious and diligently instilled the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible in her young boys. Every night, she would read them stories from the Children’s Bible, emphasizing the Golden Rule and often asking them to recite it and explain its meaning.

Wilma was a devoted mother, serving her boys tirelessly. There was never a woman that worked as hard as Wilma.  There were weeks when she would attend five or six sporting events. She and Moody served as presidents of the Coronado Booster Club. Her dedication extended to the home, where her cooking skills were legendary. She could prepare a full Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, dressing, and casseroles, on an 18-inch-wide wood-burning stove at their cabin in Ruidoso. The family enjoyed many cherished Thanksgivings in Ruidoso and later in Harper, Texas. Holiday preparations would begin early in the week with Moody and his boy’s smoking meats.  Wilma’s sausage gravy and biscuits at breakfast became famous among family and friends. She never lost a hand of competitive bridge or gin rummy. And her yard always shined as she picked up every leaf that fell in the yard well past turning ninety years of age.

Wilma is survived by her brother, Glen Chisum of Lubbock; her four sons and four daughters-in-law, Daniel and Ginger Hurley of Lubbock, Les and Laura Hurley of Lubbock, Kirby and Donna Hurley of New Braunfels, and Pat and Noel Hurley of Lago Vista, Texas; her grandchildren, Cody and Georgia Hurley, Emily Hurley and Wade Slingerland, Ryan Hurley, Taylor and Rocky Wilkens, Chase and Heather Hurley, Rachael Hurley, Jake Hurley, Sam Hurley; and her great-grandchildren, Averee, River, Parker, and Piper.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd Street, Lubbock, TX 79424, on Monday, May 12, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at Lake Ridge Chapel on Tuesday, May 13, at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those who wish to express their sympathy consider donating to the American Cancer Society, South Plains Food Bank or a charity of their choice in Wilma’s memory.

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