SAN ANGELO Laura Evelynn Mills Ethridge, 88, of San Angelo died Dec. 3, 2010, at her home after battling lung disease for over ten years. She was born in Mills County south of Mullin, Texas on Aug. 6, 1922, to Marion and Laura Mills. Laura married Aldon D. Ethridge Aug. 9, 1941, in Goldthwaite, Texas. They were married 69 years and had lived in San Angelo since 1960, after living in Harlingen, Waco, and Austin, Texas as well as in Alaska and Puerto Rico while Aldon served in the Air Force. Laura was a retired nurse and homemaker. She was a talented cook and seamstress who left a treasure trove of recipes, beautiful quilts, and many handmade items. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, Aldon of San Angelo; son Gordon Ethridge of Lago Vista; daughter Victoria Ethridge Gaston of San Angelo; son-in-law Buddy Gaston; grandchildren Michelle Meaker and husband Frank of Taylor, Meredith Hardin of Round Rock, Doran Gaston of San Angelo, Leslie Ashlock and husband Ben of San Angelo; great-grandchildren Trey and Haley Meaker of Taylor, Sierra Cortez of Round Rock; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her cats "Yellow Kitty," "Callie" and "Pumpkin." She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Elizabeth Steele and Mildred Hale; brother Wilson Mills; and twin sons Ronald and Donald Ethridge. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, in Oak View Cemetery in Mullin, Texas. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. Laura's family thanks caregivers Pauline Esquivel, Anna Baker, Rosa Ibarra for their efforts as well as Dr. Steven McCloy M.D. and Julie Holley LVN of Shannon Clinic. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity; West Texas Rehab Center; or The West Texas Boys Ranch. Family and friends are invited to sign an online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com.

Published in GoSanAngelo from December 6 to December 7, 2010