Winifred Eugenia Zellner

Winifred Eugenia Zellner of Austin passed away from this life at her home Sunday morning April 18, 2004, at the age of 86, to be welcomed into her new heavenly home! Daughter of Quincy Adams and Effie Parsons Adams, Winifred was born in Purmela, Texas, December 27, 1917. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by husband Julian Zellner; her two sisters, Hallie Adams Kellogg and Lucille (at 12); and her three brothers, George Burton, Vernon (Si), and Herbert. Growing up on the family farm, she remembered picking cotton and driving a tractor. For most of her adult life she was a homemaker, but worked for a time as a telephone operator when dialing involved human assistance. Winifred married Julian Francis Zellner of Lubbock, Texas, on May 28, 1947, in Lubbock, Texas. She and her husband moved to Midland, Texas, where he was both a teacher and a geologist in the oil business. She moved to Austin in 1979 from Midland to become an integral part of the lives of her grandchildren, picking them up from school in her white Nash Rambler. She had a love of the outdoors, raising gardens and grandchildren in close proximity. Always ready for any challenge that involved work, Winifred split her time between her home and her daughter’s, enchanting friends, neighbors, and relatives with her straight talk and quiet demeanor. Unafraid of her own judgments, she loaned money to a neighbor to bring a relative to Austin from Korea. The note was paid in full in money and respect. She was a firm believer in shouldering one’s responsibilities, speaking honestly, exercising and eating healthy. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy McMurtry and husband Allan; three grandchildren, Brandon and Erin McMurtry of Austin, and Ryan McMurtry of North Hollywood, CA; three sisters-in-law, Maurine Adams and Barbara Adams Horton of Gatesville, and Dorothy Adams of Prescott, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the wonderful people of Loan Star Hospice, Family Eldercare, and Life Made Easy: Kea Curry, Shirley Preece, Lakesha Parker, and Les Miller for their wonderful support and caring hands. Sincere thanks go out to Drs. Brown, Melear, and Tobey. At the opening of Texas Tech Med School, Winifred was the first or among the first to will her body to science. Therefore, we will celebrate her life at a memorial service to be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, April 24, at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com