Twila Faye Eaton

Twila Faye Webb was born at home on September 3, 1928, in Ellsworth, Kansas. She was the fourth of six children born to Clyde B. Webb, Sr., and Ethel Turner Webb. Twila was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Donis D. Eaton, in 1998. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Clyde B. Webb, Jr., and Lloyd Webb; and her sister, Maxine Webb Johnson. Twila also lost a treasured grandson, Kyle Eaton, and an infant great-granddaughter, Caroline Claire Willingham.

She is remembered and celebrated by a host of friends and family. Her surviving family includes her younger sister and brother, Joann Vestal and Lyle Webb. Also remaining are sons Doug (Margaret), Merlin (Stephanie), Mark (Susan), and Randy (Kim); grandchildren and step grandchildren Jeff Eaton (Stephanie), Kristin Eaton Willingham (Randy), Whitney Eaton, Taylor Hayes (DJ), Quincy Carver (Dylan), Mason Farris (Nyklis), Bree Ann Eaton Sanders (Kooper), and Sydney Eaton, and Jaclyn Lykins. Twila is also survived by great-grandchildren Abby Eaton Greenback (Tucker), Adam Eaton (Alison), Andy Eaton (Callie), Nicholas Willingham, Maddox Willingham, Hyde Sanders, Willis Sanders, Jane Elizabeth Eaton, Carly Joe Hayes, Sadie Jane Hayes, Crew Russell Carver, Hannah Leigh Farris. Surviving great-great grandchildren are Lincoln Jeffrey Greenback, Rorie Lynn Greenback, Ruthie Ann Eaton, and June Elizabeth Eaton.

Twila was the life of the party, the commander in chief, consummate recruiter, faithful servant, inveterate jokester, storyteller, story maker, adventurer, organizer, attentive mother, sports fan for her children and grandchildren, friend of needy souls, caretaker for her mother and then her husband, baker and jelly maker, cook for the bereaved, cook for exuberant achievers, Huntington Chicken pusher, master gardener, pool lapper, and test driver.

She was a fierce defender of her family and tenacious achiever of the many goals set before her. She earned well her nickname “Tiger”. Twila was often described as “Spunky” along with fun, faithful and energetic. Her smile was captivating and her desire to see others smile and laugh was a persistent pursuit.

Beginning with an automobile accident in the early 60’s, she endured pain for the rest of her life. After being told in a consultation at Mayo Clinic that she would have to live with it…. she did exactly that. And live she did. After that diagnosis and discovering that swimming would be the best way to retain her strength, an indoor swimming pool was built onto their modest home. She did indeed swim…. most every day….at least 100 laps, for years. Most people would never guess this woman of legendary vitality carried constant pain with her in all she did.

Her children and grandchildren loved being around her because they knew she was their greatest fan and saw only their value and potential. She glowed and they glowed when in each other’s presence.

She loved Jesus. She demonstrated it by the generous way she lived around everyone. She served Jesus by serving others…much of that was in the church…Woodland Lakes Community Church. Twila was secretary to several pastors, a choir member, usher, greeter, chief of funeral dinners, camp counselor, mission trip leader, greeter, recruiter and trainer, Sunday School teacher and class officer, fund raiser, board member. She rode shotgun on the youth bus that her husband drove. She was often a participant in the kid’s antics but was also the disciplinarian when it came to that. She had four children, but she was mother to hundreds.

The last few years were tough. She languished too long in a body that drastically declined. She was lovingly cared for by wonderful people at Presbyterian Manor, Family Health Center and Chisholm Place.

Early on December 1, 2023, Mom passed on to a greater life. She has shown us the way. We will miss her spark in our lives, but soon and very soon we will join her party.

Memorials may be made to Woodland Lakes Community Kitchen Fund.