Elizabeth Jane Meers

Elizabeth Meers, of Briscoe, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at her home with her family by her side.

Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Abundant life Assembly of God Church in Canadian with Rev. Justin Coleman, officiating. Burial will follow in Zybach Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Viewing will be 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 27, 2026; the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30 – 7:00. Viewing will continue Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Elizabeth Jane Kelly Meers was born on September 3, 1945, in Wheeler, Texas, to E. O. Kelly and Alice Helton Kelly, and went home to be with Jesus on January 21, 2026. She grew up on the family farm near Allison alongside her sisters, where life shaped her deeply. There, she learned the value of hard work and self-sufficiency—raising cattle, driving a tractor, plowing fields, driving a combine, gardening, sewing, canning food, cooking, and loving Jesus.

Elizabeth graduated as valedictorian of her class from Allison High School in 1964, where she played basketball. She attended Evangel College, where she played intramural basketball and served as a cheerleader, before continuing her education at West Texas State University, graduating in 1968. It was during her time at WT that she met Lewis Meers. Elizabeth and Lewis were married for 57 years.

Throughout their lives together, Elizabeth and Lewis made homes in Canyon, Pampa, and Briscoe. Elizabeth played an important role in helping Lewis build his business, Lewis Meers, CPA, in Pampa, faithfully supporting his work and the family they built together.

Elizabeth and Lewis shared a love for adventure and the outdoors. Together, they enjoyed snowmobiling, snow skiing, and trips to the lake, as well as motorcycle trips, riding dirt bikes, and embracing many other outdoor activities. They also worked cattle side by side and still liked each other afterward. Whether traveling or working together, they valued shared experiences, laughter, and living life fully side by side.

Elizabeth devoted many years to public education, working as a teacher and coach in Tulia, Pampa, and Canyon. She dedicated countless hours to her students and her classroom, believing in investing in young lives. In time, she chose to step away from her public-school career so she could devote her time and energy to her daughter and her husband.

Strong, independent, and kind, Elizabeth lived a life marked by service and generosity. Throughout the years, she opened both her home and her heart to several children in the foster system, offering love, stability, and care during important seasons of their lives.

At “The Creek,” Elizabeth also ran what was jokingly known as “Elizabeth’s slave camp.” Over the years, she hired many hands to help with ranching and farm work. Elizabeth was a no-nonsense boss lady who expected hard work, responsibility, and grit. She believed that hard work was honorable and that it paid off, and many young people carried those lessons with them.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was central to who she was. In church, Elizabeth was a tireless volunteer, faithfully teaching Sunday school classes and serving wherever she was needed. She prayed continually for her family and friends, often saying that the saddest thing she could imagine would be reaching heaven and realizing that someone she loved dearly was not there.

Elizabeth enjoyed staying active and played softball and volleyball in church leagues. She also loved watching high school basketball and especially enjoyed cheering on her nieces and nephews. She loved gardening, and after moving full-time to “The Creek,” she found deep joy in raising and breeding horses. She embraced the challenge of the cutting horse world and winning several awards.

Elizabeth loved all animals—her livestock, her dogs, her many, many barn cats, and her goats. More than one person remarked that if reincarnation were a thing, they would hope to come back as one of Elizabeth’s animals.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Lewis Meers; her daughter, Ginger Coleman and husband Justin; and her beloved grandchildren, Paisley, Levi, and Cotton. When Ginger married Justin, Elizabeth joyfully gained three amazing grandchildren, and Justin proudly held the title of Elizabeth’s all-time favorite son-in-law. She is also survived by her sisters, Diann Rose and husband Glenn, of Canyon; Janice McCloy and husband Allen, of Morse; her brother-in-law, Steve Thomas, of Fort Worth; her brothers-in-law, Ronnie and Cindy Meers, of Houston, and Monty and Sherry Meers, of Abilene; and numerous nieces and nephews: Jared and Kandi Johnson, Kelly Rose, Savannah and Travis Franklin, Bethany Thomas, Kevin Meers, Alan Meers, Bryan and Maggie Meers, Nicholas Meers, and Sabrina and Evan Meyers.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Linda Ann Thomas; her nephew, Kirby Johnson; and her in-laws, H. L. and Nadine Meers.

Memorials may be made to Briscoe Community Church, PO Box 63, Briscoe, TX 79011.