Ima Marie Ashton known to most as Marie Ashton passed away Monday, May 9th. Marie was born to Oville and Lillian Cox November 16th 1930 near the Sidney community in Comanche County. She moved to Brownwood in 1967 and lived here since.
She was a mother and wife, first and foremost. She worked for many years in the restaurant and hotel/motel business and later when her husband established an oil company she worked as office manager. After retirement she enjoyed homemaking as well as visiting with family and friends.
Marie is survived by husband Richard, children Linda Cleveland Lindley, Johnny and wife Pam Cleveland, Janet and husband William Dean, William “Bill” Cleveland and wife Leona and James Cleveland. Grandchildren – Tommy and wife Janet Lindley, Jennifer and husband Rickey Raffel, Chelsey Cleveland, Chance Cleveland, Jamie Cleveland and Jody Cleveland. Great-grandchildren – Camron Lindley, Johnathan Lindley, Braydon and Maddix Raffel and Corbin Cleveland. She had two grandchildren that passed on before her – Shayne Lindley and Colby Cleveland. Other family are sister-in law Earline Cox Bagley, Ronnie Cox, Ruth Cox and Howard Cox. Also sister-in-law Joyce Mackey and niece Angela Mackey.
She lived for her family. Sunday dinners with the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids was an every Sunday event. She made so many good things such as her famous Carrot Cake and her wonderful Cheesecakes. Her eyes were always bright when her family came. She also considered her friends as family and wanted them to know how much she loved them. Friends such as Kaye Newcomb, Peggy Flores, Shirley Crawford and Candy Hughes. She never met a stranger and always loved to visit. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11th at the Heartland Funeral Home in Early.
