Hilda Harlow, age 103 & 8 months, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2017. She was a very special lady to her family and friends, her former second grade students, her church (Central United Methodist), and to her Brownwood community.
Hilda was the oldest of six girls born to Anna Schroeder and Henry F. Miller of Canyon, Texas. The greatest influence on her life was her mother, who came from Germany at age 18, learned English and could do anything and everything on the family farm. Hilda grew up and was educated in Canyon, Texas, graduating as valedictorian from West Texas High School and earning her BS from West Texas State Teachers College. Her first three teaching years were in Happy, Texas in a one-room school house where all 13 students were first cousins. Eventually Hilda taught school for 40+ years, retiring May 31, 1979.
Hilda met and married Bob Harlow, a fellow teacher in Littlefield, Texas. After World War II, the couple returned to Brownwood and she lived on the same corner for 64 years and received Brownwood’s Yard of the Month 4 times. Besides being a school teacher, Hilda was a Sunday school teacher, a volunteer in BRMC Auxiliary (Pink Lady) and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Hilda is survived by her two daughters, Ann Allen (Tommy) of Brownwood, Texas and Roberta Van Velkinburg of Lubbock, Texas; a sister Betty Albers of Buena Vista, CO; grandchildren, Tom Allen (Laurie) of Katy, Texas, Tim Allen (Wendy) of Abilene, Texas, Wendy Needham (Charlie) of Lubbock, Texas; 15 great grandchildren, “Forever Friend” Carol Spearman; Caregivers, Nokie, Janet, Joan, Beth and Barbara and her Chatfield family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, her granddaughter Allison Allen Wilson, four sisters, numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends.
Memorials may be given to Central United Methodist Church, 1501 Second Ave., Brownwood, TX 76801 or Brownwood Regional Medical Center Volunteer Memorial Scholarship program, P. O. Box 874, Brownwood, TX 76804.
A celebration of her life was held on her 100th birthday in April of 2014 at the Chatfield.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Online memorials can be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.
