Frances Elizabeth Hackler

After living full and independent life, Frances Elizabeth Hackler of Fort Worth, Texas suffered a stroke on February 26, 2025 and went home to the Lord and our Savior on Sunday, March 3, 2025 at the age of 95. She was born on April 19, 1929 in Corryton, Tennessee to Houk and Bessy Turner, the 7th of 9 siblings. She spent her youth helping on the family farm, attending school, baking , fishing with her mother, and scheming pranks with her oldest niece, Gloria. When she was 17 years old, she followed her brother Andy Turner and his wife Frances to Littlefield, Texas. Frances graduated from Littlefield High School in 1948.

Frances first worked in the County Clerk’s office in Littlefield, then for her father-in-law’s butane and appliance store on Main Street in Littlefield. She remembers giving water or a Coke to the polite, young boy sitting on the curb outside the store, learning to play his guitar for tips. She’d laugh as she told this story, saying she knew Waylon before he was Waylon! She then worked for the phone company – the days before direct dial! Frances certainly spent countless hours working on the farm, canning, and raising her three boys.

She was actively involved with her family and friends, enjoyed playing bridge and golf, and loved a good Fish Fry. While she saw three husbands buried, it was Leroy Hackler which was the great love her life. After a 30-year failed marriage, she married Leroy on December 9, 1978. While he passed away 16 years later, those were her happiest years.

Frances is preceded in death by the father of her sons, James F. Ray of Lubbock, Texas; spouse Leroy Hackler of Alva, Oklahoma; spouse Marvin Norris of Red Oak, Texas; her middle son, Michael N. Ray; siblings, Edith, Jake, Irene, Andy, Helen, Sherman, Jo, and Fred; and best friends, Jessie Mae Ellison of Pecos, New Mexico, and Joyce Archer of Matador, Texas.

She is survived by her sons, James Bruce Ray of Weatherford and Gary W. Ray of Fort Worth; grandson and wife, James and Bonnie Ray; great-granddaughter, Eve Ray; grandson and wife, Michael and Mary Ray; granddaughter, Hayley Ray; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Overture Home Care and Ms. Sikina for keeping a daily eye on Frances as she lived independently at the Vantage Retirement Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Family and friends are invited to attend a short service led by Pastor Ricky Cotto at 1601 Forum Circle Lot #162, Graford Texas followed by a Fish Fry in Frances’ honor at the home of Gary Ray at 1601 Forum Circle #109, Graford, Texas on Frances’ Birthday, Saturday April 19th from 12:00pm-3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice.