Hillary Dea Shanklin was born January 20, 1970 and went to be with her Lord and Savior June 20, 2020.
She was born in Midland, Texas and lived there until marrying Jake Roger Arthur Shanklin May 20th 1995. Since then, Hillary and Jake have lived on the Circle S Ranch in Rocksprings, Texas.
Hillary grew up vaulting, riding and training ponies and horses for show jumping and eventing. Later in High School she won the New Mexico Hunter Equitation Championship. She also played polo and was on the first women’s team to play on the famous Palermo Field in Argentina.
Hillary loved her family foremost and was devoted to all of the activities surrounding her boys. She never missed a livestock show with the boys’ lambs, or a rodeo. She was often found out back by the trailers schooling both horses and kids from around the area. This gave everyone an edge to win. Hillary loved being active in the Rocksprings community and with her church activities. Football and other sports the boys are involved in were her thrill.
Hillary managed the Viejo Springs Ranch near Junction, raising cattle, goats, horses and exotics. For eleven summers, she ran week long horse camps for kids at the ranch.
More recently, Hillary spent many hours drawing and painting horses, wild animals, flowers and butterflies, each one expressing her flair for color and creativity. She had focused on art in High School and then spent a year at Parson’s Art School in New York City. Hillary loved planting and maintaining flower beds, which included the flowers at the 1st United Methodist Church in Rocksprings.
Hillary was the founding member of—and helped develop—the Edwards County 4-H Horse Club, and she was involved in the Edwards County 4-H & FFA Stock Show Committee, Edwards County Fair Association, 1st United Methodist Church of Rocksprings member and Sunday School teacher, the Edwards County Historical Society, and the Women’s Presbyterian Bible Study.
Hillary had a unique ability to encourage all ages, from young kids to the elderly, using her infectious smile, quick wit and humor to see the bright side of things. She was always positive, always encouraging, and always tried to make the best even better in any and all situations.
Hillary is survived by her husband Jake Shanklin; her two boys, Tucker James (17) & Tap Tomlinson (15); Her mother-in-law Lillie Shanklin; older brother Harley Stimmel & his wife Carolyn; older sister Martina Dyer & her husband Jody; her mother Marcie Stimmel (Menifee, CA); brother-in-law Souli Asa Shanklin & his wife Patty; sister-in-law Martha Alice Spraberry & her husband Danny; Uncle Andy and Aunt Camille McElhinney (Hemet, CA); cousins Phil McElhinney and wife Paula (Menifee, CA) and Kimberly McElhinney (Leakey, TX); 9 nephews, 4 nieces and many great-nephews and great-nieces; and finally, countless bronc stomping, bull riding, polo playing, ranch working, gun toting and musical family members and friends.
Services will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, June 25, 2020 at First United Methodist Church in Rocksprings with Pastor Nancy Littlefield officiating. Interment will follow at Rocksprings Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.
