Kathy Eckel

Kathy Marie Eckel, 62, of Odessa, TX peacefully passed from this life at her home on February 3, 2017.

Kathy was born in Wichita Falls, TX to Roy and Maves Welch on March 27, 1954. She graduated High School from Odessa High School in 1972, later going on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Information Systems from UTPB of Odessa, TX in 1993. She also married the love of her life, Timothy Dale Eckel in 1993. Kathy also went on to sit for and pass the CPA exam in Lubbock, Texas.

Kathy had a daughter, Christi, with Cystic Fibrosis and lovingly devoted her time coaching and supporting families with Cystic Fibrosis children. Kathy was an advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and organ donation. She brought hope to families and showed them how to truly live a full life even with a child with a terminal illness. It is how she raised her own daughter.

Kathy had a strong faith in God and would talk to you about how REAL JESUS CHRIST IS. She was confident in her salvation having accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior when she was a young girl. She loved Jesus with all her heart.
Kathy had a beautiful smile, infection laugh, and quick wit that simply made you love her and want to be around her. She dearly loved her family. She was an avid reader and loved to sew, cook and add bling to everything. Kathy showed people how to have a good time and found the humor in the absurdities of life. She loved to discuss anything and had an eye for antiques, china and beautiful jewelry.

Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Dale Eckel, her daughter, Christi Marie Ernst, her father, Roy Lynton Welch, and her brother, Roy Kelly Welch.

Kathy is survived by one daughter, Kelsi Loraine Parker and husband, Bart Parker, and three stepsons, Cody Dale Eckel and wife, Paula Eckel, Travis Lee Eckel and Christopher Todd Eckel, all of Odessa, TX, one brother, James Eric Archer and wife Mandy Archer of San Angelo, TX, two sisters, Edith Lynette Carr Ervin and husband, Dave Erwin of Round Rock, TX and Rebecca Fouche' of Mason, TX, her mother, Maves Archer and stepfather, James Archer of Odessa, TX, six grandsons, Taylor Dale Eckel, Nicholas Lee Dugan, Christopher Lane Eckel, Tanner Eckel, Kyle Sims and Travis Sims, three grandaughters, Sarah Shyan Parker, Alexis Eckel and Lacey Eckel, and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will welcome visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm, Friday, February 10, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow.

Pallbearers are Nicholas Lee Dugan, Taylor Dale Eckel, Chris Cato, Paul Moody, Chris Knabe, Jay Johnson, and Cody Back.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign her guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

Family and Friends Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, February 10, 2017
6:00 - 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Funeral Home Chapel
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Saturday, February 11, 2017
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762