Ona Louise Hobson Cline Gillis

Ona Louise Hobson Cline Gillis was born Nov. 30, 1917 and died April 27, 2016. She was born in Dickens County, Texas to Thomas Marion Hobson and Annie Elizabeth Neill. She was the middle child of five sisters and one brother who all proceeded her in death.

She grew up in West Texas and married Alec Henrry Cline. They met when he rode up to her family farm on a white horse. She always told her family it was love at first sight. They married on Sept. 20, 1933. Together they had two kids, Thomas Michael Cline (wife Sue) and Sheila Kathleen Cline Wright (widow of Tommy).

After Alec’s passing in Dec. 1955, she went to nursing school and graduated as Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1960. Early in her career she worked as a scrub nurse for a neurosurgeon, for a team of specialists, was a first responder for natural disasters in the area, and was a cardiac care nurse. She even had the privilege of being President Gerald Ford’s on call nurse during his visit to Lubbock.

Through her career at Lubbock Methodist Hospital, where she received an award for outstanding service, she met her second husband Dr. Everett Alden Gillis PhD who was the head of the English department at Texas Tech University. Together they loved to travel and dote on their grandkids. Before his passing in January 1989, he published numerous books of poetry and other writing projects through his publishing company.

She was a faithful Scottish Presbyterian her entire life. During her years spent in San Antonio, she and three generations of her family joined on the same day at Oak Hills Presbyterian, which the church had never experienced before.

As a marvelous seamstress she designed and created costumes for plays and clothes for her family and other creative projects. She had a great love of fabrics, clothing and other fashions. Having greatly enjoying her competitive nature, she enjoyed games, but her favorite were 42, 88, and rummikub.

She was a divine cook and renowned nutritionist years before her time. She loved many types of music and encouraged the musical talents of her family. In her early life, she was very active in the Lubbock community with clothing and food drives through numerous charities.

After the death of Dr. Gillis, she enjoyed spending her time with her five grandkids, 8 great-grandkids, and 4-and-a-half great-great-grandkids.

She is survived by her two children; grandchildren, Melanie Wright, Megan Perkins, Kelly Mantle (husband Kent), and Tom Cline (wife Charisse). She is also survived by her great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids and numerous nieces and nephews. Her oldest grandson Roy Mike Wright preceded her in death.

She lived for the last 3-and-a-half years of her life at Texan Nursing and Rehab in Gonzales. She loved her time with the staff and fellow residents who became family to her. The staff loved celebrating with her the San Antonio Spurs Championship win in 2014 and was looking forward to a 2016 win.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home of San Antonio. A memorial service will be held May 15 at 3 p.m. at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church.