Ida May Seymore

Ida May (King) Seymore, a beloved educator and lifelong resident of the Merkel community, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026, in Merkel, Texas.

Funeral services will be  3:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at First Methodist Church in Merkel with Rev. Rhonda Greenwood officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel directed by McCoy Funeral Home. There will be a family visitation Monday evening at Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M..

A Life Rooted in West Texas

Born on November 1, 1941, in Lampasas, Texas, Ida May was the second of four children born to Alice Lena Reed King and Allen D. King, Sr. At the age of three, her family moved to Mulberry Canyon—a place that would remain close to her heart throughout her life. She graduated from Trent High School in 1960 and initially followed in her older brother’s footsteps to Texas Tech University. Once she and Connie Mack Seymore became engaged, she transferred to McMurry College to follow her heart.

The two were married on June 8, 1962, at Pioneer Methodist Church in Mulberry Canyon. They shared 58 beautiful years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and the land they loved.

A Legacy of Learning

Ida May completed her education degree in 1963 and began a distinguished 33-year career teaching in Merkel. She was a dedicated educator who touched generations of lives; she even delayed her retirement so she could have the special joy of teaching her first granddaughter, Trinity. Her home was a testament to her impact, filled with a cherished collection of gifts from students that she remembered fondly throughout her retirement.

Her heart for others extended well beyond the school walls. She and Connie Mack found great purpose in visiting shut-ins, spending hours reminiscing about old times and sharing fond memories of growing up in the area. These visits were a testament to her gift for connection and her respect for the generations that came before her.

Faith, Family, and the Mulberry Peaks

Ida May’s greatest pride was her family. She and Connie Mack were fixtures at Merkel Badger activities, though their favorite "road trips" were to Big Spring to cheer on their grandchildren, Hunter and Kyler.

At home, Ida May found peace on their land in Mulberry Canyon. While Connie Mack tended to the cattle, Ida could often be found watching the hummingbirds with the same view of the peaks she had known since childhood. She was a gifted cook who loved testing new recipes, always ensuring there was enough for anyone who might stop by. Her community spirit shone through her involvement with the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and the Fortnightly Study Club. 

Family Survivors

Ida May’s legacy of love is carried on by her children: Stacy Sue (Seymore) Cullins and husband Ricky of Merkel, TX. Dr. Ted Mack Seymore and wife Shayla of Big Spring, TX. She was the proud grandmother of Trinity Galle and husband Madison, Hunter Seymore and fiancé Alex, Kyler Seymore and wife Lauren, and Summer Cullins and fiancé Corbin. Her joy was further multiplied by her great-grandchildren: Turner Mack Galle, Miller May Galle, and Swayzi Taye Strickland.

She is also survived by her brothers, Allen King, Jr. (Kathy) and Hugh King (Patsy); her sister, Sue Fagan (Dr. Tim Fagan); brothers-in-law Riley Jack Seymore (Jean), Philip Weldon Seymore (Evelyn), and David Paul Seymore (Dian); and sisters-in-law Mary Malinee Harman (Allen) and Melba Fisher and many nieces and nephews. 

Ida May was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Connie Mack Seymore; her parents, Allen D. and Alice King; her in-laws, Joe and Dolly Seymore; sisters-in-law, Betty Jo McCoy, Becky Knipe, Maxine Seymore, and Kathy Seymore; brothers-in-law, Melvin McCoy, Lloyd Knipe, and Greg Fisher; nephews, Philip Paul Seymore and Hugh Allen King; and great-niece, Valerie Knipe.

Pallbearers are Kyler Seymore, Madison Galle, Alex Havlicek, Brent Fisher, David King, and Ruff Graham. 

Special thank you to Dr. Keith Robinson her primary physician and Brenda Jowers her caretaker. 

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