ODESSA — Alton Eugene Towery, of Luling, Texas, died on March 12, 2004.
Mr. Towery had moved from Odessa, Texas, in 2001, to be near his daughters.
He was a lifelong resident of the Midland/Odessa area and was a minister and missionary for more than 65 years.
He is survived by his partner and wife, Edith A. Towery of Luling.
Mr. Towery was born March 29, 1914, in Fannin County to James and Nora Towery and moved to Midland at age 15. Towery started preaching in 1948 and helped build three churches and pastored eight churches in Texas and New Mexico. While preaching, he saw thousands of persons saved, performed 500 weddings and preached countless funerals.
On Alton and Edith Towery’s 65th wedding anniversary in 1998, State Rep. George “Buddy” West presented the Towerys with a Texas flag that had flown over the State Capitol and read a resolution passed in the House and Senate recognizing them for their work in the ministry and long term marriage. Then-Gov. George W. Bush and first lady Laura sent a special greeting to the Towerys at their anniversary party, and the City of Odessa declared by proclamation, Feb. 7, 1998, as Alton and Edith Towery Day in Odessa.
Towery operated Operation Blessing and the Mission of Mercy for many years in Odessa, and his wife Edith was a strong partner in the ministry.
The Towerys married in Midland County in 1934, and he is survived by his wife, Edith Skelton Towery of Luling; daughters, JoAnn Alexander of Luling, Wanda Sweatt and son-in-law Kerry Sweatt of Leakey and Joyce Williams of Luling; daughter-in-law, Vickie Towery of Albuquerque, N.M.; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Alton was preceded in death by his son, Donel Towery; sons-in-law, Jerry Alexander and Allan Williams; grandson, Marcus Valentine; and great-grandson, Jerry Lon Hallmark.
The famly will receive visitors from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2004, at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Cemetery.