Theresa Ann Ashcraft

Theresa Ann Ashcraft passed away Monday, April 24, 2023.

 Graveside service:  11 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023 at Laurel Land Memorial Park.

 Visitation:  5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Brown Owens & Brumley’s Joe B. Brown Memorial Chapel.

 Theresa was born May 24, 1940, to the late Floyd Dawkins and Emma Nelsina “Nellie” Theresa Johanson in Chadron, Nebraska.

 Theresa is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 59 years, Charles Edward Ashcraft; brothers,

 Robert Theodore Dawkins and Charles E. Dawkins; sisters, Violet Henrietta Dawkins Gross, Margaret Eleanor Dawkins, Carol Joann Dawkins Pribble, Virginia Marilyn Dawkins Collins and Joyce Darlene Dawkins Lunsford.

 Survivors include daughter, Cheryl Stellner and husband, Steve; son, Chuck Ashcraft Jr. and wife, Sissie; grandsons, Chuck Ashcraft III and wife, Kaitlin, Gary Michael Ashcraft, and Graham Ashcraft and wife,  Emily; granddaughter, Shelly Wicke; great grandsons, Campbell Douglas Ashcraft, Braden and Payton;  great granddaughters, Kisha and Jazmin; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Some of her fondest memories were made showering her family and friends with love. She cherished every possible minute with each one. Their visits made her eyes sparkle, as her love glowed through them. She often spoke of planning her sister Joyce’s favorite meals when she came to spend the weekend with her. Visits with her neighbors, Maria, Antonio and their kids, all of whom she loved dearly, meant so much to her. And oh, the treats, making sure she had everyone’s favorites during their visits. Some of her scrumptious chocolate chip cookies are in a cannister on her cabinet, this very moment. The most important ingredient for each was the love in which they were prepared. Never to be replicated.

Her hugs were yet another of her favorite ways to show her love. Her hugs were the best! You dare not try to leave without one. She would stop you by saying, “umm wait, where’s my hug”? They were always followed by “I love you”, and “be careful”, as were each of her phone calls.

She loved to talk about her adventures with her son. Sitting on his dock by the lake, fishing. The fun he had watching her, when he took her out for a ride in his boat. She would sit and watch her digital frame filled with pictures he took of them in Nashville. Fond, forever memories for them both.

She had cherished memories scattered all throughout her home. Some were trinkets and mementos she proudly displayed, while others were kept within arm’s reach. The love in which her daughter, Cheryl, crocheted each snuggly lap afghan, helped to keep her warm. When not on her lap, they laid displayed proudly on the cushions of her sofa.

Some of her most meaningful memories were made even more special by her love of music. Listening to an old classic country song, she would slip back to some of her fondest memories with her husband, Chuck Sr., and of him playing his steel guitar. Gospel music touched her deeply. It reminded her of family gatherings, when her sister Jeannie would play the piano as they all sing their favorite, The Old Rugged Cross.

Theresa had so many hobbies and interests. She always kept herself busy with a variety of activities, knowing they helped to keep her keen mind sharp. She worked through books and books of word search puzzles. When she was bored with that, she would pull out a deck of cards and play solitaire. She was a talented artist. Her impressive drawings and paintings adorned not only the walls of her home, but the homes of her sisters. A colorful oriental mural painted on her sister Carol’s living room wall, a large drawing of a bull for her sister Joyce, and some commissioned works of art, just to name a few.

She so enjoyed waking to the sound of her doves chirping outside her bedroom window in the mornings. They were gently reminding her that it was time to replenish the birdseed in their bowl on her porch. She cleaned and filled their birdbath with fresh water each day and made sure her favorite little ladybug garden stones were clean and visible nearby.

Oh, and the greeting cards. Everyone she loved knows about the greeting cards. Every year, without fail, each of her loved ones received birthday cards and anniversary cards. Writing them out and getting them in the mail meant the world to her.

And eat, oh could she eat. If she wasn’t hungry, you knew she wasn’t feeling good. Her favorites: barbecue, Mexican food, and sweets. Even when she wouldn’t eat a bite of the healthy stuff, she would dive into her desserts!

Now, let’s talk about her number one, obsession … baseball. She has always been an avid baseball fan. One entire wall in her hallway is dedicated to her son Chuck’s baseball memories. She has picture albums filled with many more photos and paper clippings. Then came her grandsons and the many albums filled with photos of their games, of them batting, and their team photos. And let us not forget the Texas Rangers, until last year that is. Last year her focus, or obsession, morphed from the Rangers to the Cincinnati Reds. Following this new team required internet installation and her son, Chuck, had to get her set up with an MLB account so she would not miss a single game of the Reds. And instead of albums of photos, she began filling spiral notebooks, yes, notebooks, with rosters and stats on the Reds. There was absolutely no way she would miss watching her #1 Major League Baseball starting pitcher, Graham Ashcraft, start a game for the Cincinnati Reds. Even if he wasn’t pitching, she and her notebook were poised, ready to keep up with the “today’s game”. Is it a wonder that she had a front row seat from heaven Wednesday, as he started the Reds game with none  other than the Texas Rangers, and cheered them on to a victory!!! For those who were able to watch the game live, no doubt cheered as they cried, to see a picture of Graham and his #1 fan on national TV.  

And last, but not least, her favorite TV viewing during off-season included all the great old westerns, with a few Hallmark movies mixed in. Of course, her shows were quickly forgotten, or watched as fill-ins, on and after opening day. She would be so lost when the season ended, but she  had her calendar marked for the first game of the next season, you can be  assured.

Theresa graduated from Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth in 1958. For years she laced coin purses for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Then worked several years at Stripling & Cox on Berry St., until the store closed in 1995. She then took her experience and expertise to Dillard’s Department Store in Hulen Mall, for another 15+ years.

Every Sunday morning Theresa would rise early, make a cup of coffee and toast, then comfortably settle into her chair in her living room, bible and notepad in her lap. There she sat, watching and listening intently to “her church programs” until well after noon. Her favorite being Dr. Charles Stanley. She was so saddened to hear of his passing, just days before her own. She wrote down excerpts of their sermons and their corresponding scriptures. Afterwards, she would  read each scripture, followed with more notes. Even this last Sunday morning, as she sat in her hospital bed, she had “her church programs” on and was taking notes. Sundays were dedicated to her Lord and Savior.

Theresa’s sweet spirit and genuine love deeply touch everyone she met and spent more than a minute with. Her family was blessed with a lifetime of her love. She loved her friends as family. And everyone she met casually, clerks in stores, doctor offices, hospitals, pharmacies, home care technicians and such, all spoke of how sweet and kind she was.