Ellen Dale (Hicks) Magee

Ellen Dale Hicks Magee went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 10, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. Born on January 10, 1929, close to Desdemona, Texas (Eastland County), Ellen’s parents were George Washington Hicks and Tempie Nola Sageser Hicks. She had one sibling, Delma Hicks Koss. In 1937 her family moved back to their beloved family farm, which was purchased in 1894 by her grandfather, James Sageser. The farm is five miles south of Stephenville, Texas on the Alexander Road and continues to be owned by Sageser’s descendants.

Ellen met the love of her life, Edward Lanham Magee, while attending school in Alexander, Texas. They both graduated from Alexander High School in 1946 and married on August 17, 1947. They had three daughters, Lana Sue Magee Henry, Sandra Jean Magee Hester and Sherry Jo Magee Burgess. 

Lanham moved his family from Stephenville, Texas to Kermit, Texas in October 1955 for work opportunities in the oil field and from there to Fort Stockton, Texas in December 1961. Ellen was the ultimate homemaker and was happiest when cooking and taking care of her family and friends. Ellen was an accomplished seamstress and her girls always looked beautiful in the clothes that she lovingly made for them.  Her involvement in her children’s activities lead to her becoming a member of the PTA at each of her daughter’s schools. Her love for the outdoors and for teaching children to be “good people” led her to be a Girl Scout leader and assistant leader for many years.

When her last child entered elementary school, Ellen began working to help supplement the family income. She was a hard worker and never quit a task until finished.  She worked at the Stockton Pharmacy and later became a licensed cosmetologist working at the Beauty Center. In 1974 Lanham and Ellen started their own business known as E.L. (Mac) Magee Contract Pumping Service. That business flourished and upon her husband’s death in 1990 she began the daily tasks of checking wells and completing the appropriate paperwork for the oil companies.

In 1991 she moved back to Stephenville to be near family and friends. In 2010 she moved to Lubbock, Texas to be closer to her children and her doctors.

Her survivors include her three daughters and their families; Lana (Steve) Henry, Lexington, Kentucky; Sandra (Tony) Hester, Stephenville, Texas and Sherry (Greg) Burgess, Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren and their families, Lindsay Henry (Jack) Willoughby, Micah (Sharen) Henry, Andrew Henry and Monty Maisano; Jennifer Burgess (Matt) Crotwell, Sheridan Burgess (Jerry) Strawn, Tanner (Jeannette) Hester and Heather Hester (Jason) Van Kirk; great grandchildren are Kaycie and Kaitlyn Yockey, Evelyn Henry and Emily (Ryan) Rowlett; great-great granddaughter Elizabeth Rowlett and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.    Ellen was blessed to have loving and caring doctors and care givers. The family wishes to thank Dr. Kelly Klein, the best Family Practice physician in West Texas.  Ellen resided at Brookdale Remington Park Assisted Living in Lubbock where she received constant care and love for almost 11 years. An incredibly special thank you to Candace Jackson who loved Ellen like her own mom and who cared for her for many years.

A funeral service will be Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Stephenville Funeral Home followed by interment at Erath Garden of Memory Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

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