Elizabeth Loraine Mackey

Elizabeth Loraine Meurer Mackey, 92, went to her heavenly home on Friday, February 18, 2023. She was born on February 25, 1930, to Joseph Earl Meurer and Vera Mabel "Shorty" Thompson Meurer in Mertzon, Texas. She grew up spending time at PaDad's ranch in Big Lake, listening to her dad, uncles, and cousins playing the fiddle and guitars, singing in the church choir, and playing the piano. Elizabeth met Paul at McCamey High School. She was a freshman, and he was a senior. They continued to date while Paul was stationed in Washington DC with the Navy and then deployed to China. Paul and Elizabeth were married at First Christian Church in Mertzon. After a honeymoon to Notrees, Texas, they headed back to Washington DC and lived there six months until Paul was discharged. They spent the first ten years of marriage moving to many West Texas towns with Paul's job in the oilfield as a roustabout and pumper. While in Spur, Texas, they welcomed their first son, Kevin. The family of three moved to Levelland, Texas, where they bought a house and Paul worked at South Plains College and took classes. They welcomed two more sons, Brent and Chris. The now family of five moved to Canyon, Texas, for Paul to finish his degree at West Texas State University. In 1972, the family moved to Lubbock where they called home for the next 51 years. Elizabeth thrived in her life as a wife and mother. She was always home to welcome her boys when they returned from school or activities. Her many hobbies included needle point, reading and gardening. Her favorite flowers were Peonies and she loved to nurture them and watch them grow. She loved her Church community at First Christian Church of Lubbock and was incredibly involved. She and Paul joined the Keystone class in 1972 and Elizabeth was a member until 2020. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir for 32 years and a founding member of Silver Stars directed Kim Clowe. She was also an active participant in the Hand Bell Choir and volunteered in the church office until 2020. Being part of a bridge club was a big part of their life. The boys remember when the bridge club would be at their house, they would sneak candy from the card tables between hands. In 1985, Elizabeth started her first full time position at Smith Publishing Co. Her main responsibility was mapping farms lands in different counties. She had to travel to other counties, so she and Paul bought an Airstream Travel Trailer. This purchase started a whole new lifestyle. After 22 years of the cold winters and hot summers of Lubbock, Paul and Elizabeth hooked up the Airstream and became snowbirds. Summers in Pagosa Spring, CO, where they developed an amazing community and lifelong friends. Their sons and grandsons would visit and loved fishing with Paul and Elizabeth would cook up their catch. Their winters were spent in Mission, TX, with their friends Robert and Mary Hooks. While in Mission, she and Paul learned to play duplicate bridge. Wanting to be closer to grandchildren, they returned to Lubbock. Their four grandsons and two step granddaughters were their greatest joy. As they settled back to life in Lubbock, they became active with the Bridge Center. They played several nights a week and were the couple to beat! They were truly best friends and did everything together. Sadly, on October 13, 2009, Paul passed away and Elizabeth entered a new phase of her life. She continued to be a regular member of the Bridge club, playing 5-6 times a week. She continued to volunteer at the church and perform with Silver Stars. To fill the silence, she adopted Bitsy, a 12-week-old Shih Tzu, who became her best friend. She filled her days reading, sometimes a book a day. She and her friends, Teddie and John Poindexter, and Sue Johns took several big trips together to Niagara Falls, the Smoky Mountains, Ireland, and a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. These were trips of a lifetime. As much as she enjoyed these big trips, her trips to see family were just as memorable. Austin to meet Harlow and Lincoln; East Texas to spend the weekend with Tonya and Toni playing games; Midland to watch Preston and Pierce play basketball, football, and baseball, or attend a Boy Scout event; And South Texas to enjoy time with Paula's extended family at their ranch. Elizabeth was known for her homemade desserts: chocolate cake, chocolate pie and brownies. Every time she came to Midland to see Chris's family, she would have one of these treats freshly baked. Elizabeth was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be missed by many. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Charles Wayne Meurer; husband Paul Mackey and granddaughter, Tonie Marie Rickman-Nichols. Elizabeth is survived by sons Kevin Mackey of Austin; Brent (Jane) Mackey of Lubbock; Chris (Paula) Mackey of Midland. Grandchildren Raine and Dylan Mackey; Tonya (Joe) Luby; Preston and Pierce Mackey. Great grandchildren Lincoln and Harlow Mackey; Sarah Herbert, Krista Thornton and Mackenzi San Jule. Great great grandson Odin Thornton. And many nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many dear friends. The family would like to thank all the ladies at Tanglewood Village for the love and kindness they showed Elizabeth over the past year, and especially in her last days. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the music ministry at the First Christian Church in Lubbock. Visitation will be held at Sanders Funeral Home on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2:30 PM at First Christian Church with Rev. Paul Carpenter officiating. A livestream of the service will also be available on First Christian Church's Facebook page. An online guest book along with a full obituary is available at www.sandersfuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth Loraine Mackey

February 25, 1930 - February 18, 2023