Gwendolyn Adcock

Gwendolyn Patricia Adcock, 88, passed peacefully into her Lord’s arms on March 17, 2021, in Durango, Colorado. Gwen was born July 16, 1932, in Ashdown, Arkansas, to Ivy and Effie Phillips, the ninth of ten children. She grew up on the family farm outside of Ashdown.
After graduating from high school, Gwen married David Adcock in 1949, and together they raised three children, Debbie, Mary and Kenneth. They were married 64 years before David’s death in 2013. In the early years of their marriage, along with several of Gwen’s brother’s families, they followed the oilfield work living in Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Colorado and Nevada. Gwen and her sisters-in-law collectively cared for the young kids while the husbands worked the drilling rigs.
In 1966, they moved to Aztec, New Mexico, where they lived for eight years. During this time, Gwen worked for Farmington Lumber and Johnson Lumber Companies and attended San Juan College. Gwen was very active at the First Baptist Church, and supporting her children’s activities at church, 4-H, skiing, camping and outdoor activities. Gwen’s favorite activity was family picnics along the Animas River.
In 1974, Gwen and David settled in Mineral Wells, Texas, where Gwen was employed with the Texas Highway Department for 20 years until her retirement in 1994. She was active with the Professional Secretaries International and was Secretary of the Year in 1984. During those years, she also obtained her real estate license, was a member of the local Zonta Club and was a faithful and active member of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells. After retirement, David and Gwen moved to Weatherford, Texas, where they enjoyed volunteering at the hospital, ushering at the Granbury Opera House, travelling in their RV, and fun times with friends, neighbors and family. Never an idle woman, Gwen launched her own jewelry business during that time. This was a good fit, because Gwen always loved to look her best. A proud and dignified Christian woman, Gwen believed in always trying to better yourself in life, whether it was higher education or hard work. She instilled these admirable values into her children and taught them to always put their best foot forward in life, which they are forever grateful.
Gwen is preceded in death by her husband, David; daughter, Mary Duggins; grandson, Collin Van Winkle; and nine of her siblings.
Gwen is survived by her daughter Debbie Van Winkle and her husband Lee of Durango, Colorado; son Kenneth Adcock and his wife Kim of Katy, Texas; son-in-law Dennis Duggins of Bernalillo, New Mexico; brother John Crawford (Kathryn); grandchildren Stacey Rhodes (Tony), Christopher Duggins (Jeanne), Brett Van Winkle (Ekin) and Bailey Hundley (Clay); great grandchildren Faith and Mia Martin, Bryce and Bristol Duggins, Lila and Soren Van Winkle and Ellison and Baker Hundley; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. They will all miss “Betty Ann” dearly.
After becoming ill, Gwen had been a resident of Cottonwood Inn in Durango, Colorado. Gwen’s family is grateful to the many good people at that facility who helped Gwen and other residents cope with the isolation and loneliness the residents experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Memory Gardens in Farmington, New Mexico. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.