George Woodrow Lloyd's Obituary
Funeral Services for George Woodrow Lloyd, age 101 of Henderson, will be held Saturday February 23, 2013 at 3:00pm in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Kuykendall officiating. Visitation will be from 2pm until 3pm before the service. Burial will follow in the Crims Chapel Cemetery.
George Woodrow Lloyd, born December 19, 1911, joined his beloved wife Elsie Honeycutt Lloyd in heaven on February 11, 2013. He was the second child of twelve born to Graydon and William T. Lloyd in Sacul, Texas. After high school, he moved to Henderson, where he met and married the love of his life, Elsie Honeycutt Lloyd of Crim's Chapel. They were married for 74 years, 35 of which were spent in San Angelo. There, they reared their three children.
Margaret Lloyd Kendall of Montgomery, Dr. David George Lloyd and wife Lettie Lew of San Antonio, and Helen and Richard Marberry of Hideaway grieve his passing but give thanks to God for his long and healthy life, the remarkable gifts he possessed, and the great love he bestowed on their family. Also surviving him are six grandchildren and their spouses: Dr. Peggy Kendall and husband Dr. Jonathan Sheehan of Nashville, Tennessee; Susan Kendall Morrow of Conroe; David George Lloyd, Jr. and wife Paola of San Antonio; Christian Lloyd of Austin; Helaine Marberry of Dallas; Dave Marberry of Flower Mound. Great grandchildren are Madeline Morrow and husband Jason Epstein of Austin; Camille Morrow of Conroe; Valerie and Genevieve Sheehan of Nashville, Tennessee; Christopher and Sofia Lloyd of San Antonio. Many beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews also survive.
A long career in meat cutting and market management began during the Great Depression at the tender age of ten in his father's market in Sacul. During World War II he was employed by Consolidated Aircraft as they manufactured B-24 bombers in Fort Worth but returned to a long employment with Safeway food stores following the war. Upon retirement he and Elsie returned from West Texas to their home town, and he opened a small meat market of his own, once more creating attractive meat displays and serving customers, which he so enjoyed, until a lightning strike caused a fire that destroyed the building and all its contents. At that point, Elsie asked him to please let work go, but he was never idle, even without a business to run, but was never too busy to stop for coffee or a chat with the numerous people of all ages who dropped by.
He could repair anything mechanical or constructed – clocks, locks, broken utensils or appliances, lawn mowers, bad foundations, you name it. He could also build anything, from garage construction to intricate toys for children. But throughout his life he was most fascinated by two things: antique automobiles and violins. He restored more than one old car and was active in the Antique Automobile Association of Texas. He often drove his last one, a 1929 Model A Ford, in Henderson parades and entertaining grandchildren, who loved to ride in the rumble seat or honk the "oogah" horn.
A lover of music – especially country fiddling and classical violin - he became a highly skilled violin-maker and restorer simply by his own gifts and careful study of the processes of the masters and others. He even fashioned some of his own tools and templates, standing for many happy hours at his garage workshop, or poring over parts and specialty wood manuals, collecting desirable woods from wherever he found them. His demonstration and violin sales booth at the Henderson Syrup Festival remained a popular stop until age finally forced his retirement from that event several years ago.
While his powers of concentration were prodigious, he was really an extrovert. He especially enjoyed little children, poetry, songs and storytelling, always entertaining others with tales from his life or reciting from memory, watching birds, and keeping a vegetable garden.
He was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he sang weekly with the Keenagers choir for many years. At the age of 98, he broke a leg and was forced to leave his home, where he had lived alone, busy and in good health following the death of his Elsie. A man of deep faith, he spoke frequently of his gratitude for the Lord's many blessings in his life. While he deeply missed his beloved wife until his death, he was a cheerful resident of Emeritus Senior Living for several years, celebrating his 100th birthday in 2012 in good health and good spirits.
A decline followed that happy event, and he spent his final days at Colonial Nursing Facility in Lindale and Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.
The family wishes to thank everyone who has shown love and care to their father in his final years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts go to a charity of choice.
What’s your fondest memory of George?
What’s a lesson you learned from George?
Share a story where George's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with George you’ll never forget.
How did George make you smile?