Della Marie (Gilmore) McBride
Della McBride Obituary
Della McBride, 92, of Tuscola passed from this life peacefully at home and surrounded by her family on May 10, 2024. Della was born in Merkel, Texas to Lloyd W. and Beaulah (Reidenbach) Gilmore on June 4, 1931. Della was the 4th of 5 children.
She attended and graduated from Merkel High School. She met the love of her life, James (Runt) McBride, in Merkel Drug, where she worked the soda fountain. They married on September 4, 1950.
They started their marriage and family by farming in Post, TX until the drought brought them back to Taylor County, where their family continued to grow. They had 4 children – Betty, Bud, Forrest, and Donald. She loved raising her own kids, along with others in the neighborhood who were her honorary kids. She was an incredible cook and always had roast or fried chicken ready for anyone who was hungry after church.
After the kids were grown, she became chief bookkeeper, answering service, and dispatcher when they bought Hindman Pipe Service which they operated for nearly 30 years. Della and Runt moved from Abilene to their final home in Tuscola in the early 80s, where they got to enjoy their love of tending the land.
Della was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James, her brothers Lloyd and Rob, and sisters Lucille and Doris.
She is survived by her daughter Betty Pilgrim and husband Earnie, sons James (Bud) McBride and wife Donna, Forrest McBride, Donald McBride and wife Lisa – all of Tuscola TX. Her Grandchildren are Sheila and Jon Bright of Rankin, Sally and Jonathan Armstrong of Leander, Linda and Javier Landeros of Buffalo Gap, Brian McBride of Tuscola, Will and Britni McBride of Tuscola, Andrew and Missy Pilgrim of Leavenworth KS, and Leddy McBride of Gainesville. Her beloved Great-grandchildren are Landan & Logan Bright, Cohen, Clara, and Charlie Armstrong, Audrey and Demitri Pilgrim, Colby and Logan McBride, Corey, Briley and Marcus Pilgrim.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan and Cohen Armstrong, Will and Colby McBride, Demitri Pilgrim, and Landan Bright.
Visitation will be Monday,May 13 2024 from 5-7 pm at Starbucks Funeral Home in Merkel TX. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10 am at Starbucks Funeral Home with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rose Hill Cemetery, Meals on Wheels Abilene, or Hendrick Hospice.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Sarah and Chrissy of Hendrick Hospice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Della Marie (Gilmore) McBride, please visit our floral store.