Theresa "LadyBugs" Albritton

Visitation will be October 4, 2024, at 5:00 – 7:00 PM, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. Services will be October 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM, also at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, with Committal Service following at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. Bright colored clothing is suggested as we celebrate Theresa’s Life.

Theresa was born in Dallas in 1954 to Gene and Frances Barber, and grew up in Tyler, Texas, graduating from John Tyler High School in 1973. She then attended Tyler Jr. College until 1975, earning her Associate Arts Degree as a Medical/Legal Secretary.

While in high school, Theresa met the Love of Her Life, Chris Albritton, at Calvary Baptist Church in Tyler, and it was Love at First Sight. Chris and Theresa dated steady for four years while she was in high school and college, planning their life ahead. Chris and Theresa were married at Calvary Baptist Church on May 30, 1975, by the Reverend Gene Barber, Theresa’s father.

Two months later, they made a very rapid move to Chicago after Chris was accepted into medical school in downtown Chicago. Together they learned how to deal with the cultural shock of these two Texans in what almost seemed like a foreign country. Theresa rapidly put her secretarial skills to good use when she began working at the American Medical Association (AMA), also in downtown Chicago. Theresa and Chris lived in Chicago for four years, and became faithful members of Lakeshore Baptist Church, where they grew spiritually in Christ, and in their love and dedication for each other.

As Chris graduated as a new Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, he awarded Theresa with an official honorary PHT diploma, showing “Theresa Albritton, PHT (Put Hubby Through),” after which they hurried back home to Texas, living in San Antonio while Chris did his Residency Training at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

After Residency, the couple bought a house and settled down in Abilene, moving in during the summer of 1980, on a day that reached 113 degrees. Initially, Theresa began working as a legal secretary for an Abilene law firm, but the medical secretary training called strongly in a different direction.

When Dr. Albritton opened his own office on Pine Street in 1982, Theresa became office manager, bringing her training and experience to the developing practice. She worked in that capacity until the day prior to delivering our precious daughter, Dawn Michelle Albritton.

While Theresa was growing up in Tyler, if someone would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would always answer, “I just want to be a Mommie!” Her childhood dream coming true, she temporarily set office manager aside, and dedicated herself to raising Dawn, sewing, and making beautiful dresses, outfits, and decorative bows and panties, proudly displayed on Dawn almost daily.

As Dawn entered elementary and middle schools, Theresa became a Volunteer Teacher’s Assistant within the Abilene Independent School District for 7-8 years, and was awarded a meritorious citation for the untold number of volunteer hours she worked.

Theresa eventually began to realize that she was really good at sewing and creating all kinds of decorative items, and desired to open a business. THERESA’S TREASURES (the legal name) officially opened in August 1991, doing business as LADYBUGS & SUNSHINE. These names were selected by Theresa, Sunshine based on how she felt about Dawn, and LadyBugs, because as a little girl playing outside, Theresa loved playing with “rolly pollies, aka doodle bugs” and ladybugs.

Theresa began her business by working from home, but as her business grew, she opened her own store on S. 14th Street in July 2011 and was on top of the world with her many designs and creations. She had her very own webpage presence on Google search and Google maps, and she filmed two different TV commercials advertising her store. Her business grew and expanded until the COVID Pandemic “helped” her decision to retire sooner than anticipated in 2021.

Theresa made friends easily because she was such a good listener without judgement, and people from all walks of life found it easy to talk to her and open up their thoughts and problems. She was natural-born counsellor to virtually everyone, but especially to children, adolescents, and teenagers. Multiple kids during this time “adopted” Theresa as a second Mom, including Amber Carithers and David Roberts. Theresa had a heart of gold and was always willing to go the extra mile for someone in need.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents Rev. Gene Barber and Frances Barber-Dykes, and by an older sister Sheila Barber-Grooms.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Chris Albritton, their daughter Dawn of Clyde, Texas, an older sister Sharon Walker and husband Steve Walker of Katy, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and cousins throughout Texas.

Theresa was preceded in death by the following beloved PETS: Princess, Tinker Bell, Mickey Doodle, and Sissy Doo.

Theresa will always be remembered for the perpetual smile on her face, her loving caring attitude towards everyone, her down-to-earth nature, and the way that she prepared fried chicken and gravy, as well as other highly praised culinary delights.

We’ll always imagine hearing her say “Have you prayed about it?” one more time.

Chris and Dawn couldn’t have asked for a better wife or mother, and we’ll miss Theresa (Momma, LadyBugs) every day.