Eula Nell Anderson Dempsey passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Fort Worth, at the age of 87 years old. She was born June 5, 1934 in Woodward, Okla. and attended schools in Ranger.

She married Wesley Dempsey Feb. 1, 1951 in Ranger. They were married 51 years and raised four children. They lived six miles north of Ranger on their land, which they bought in 1955. Nell will be cremated and her ashes will be spread at a private memorial by family.

There was a celebration of life from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at New Hope Baptist Church, 7528 FM 717 S, 10 miles north of Ranger. Arrangements were made under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Ranger.

Nell loved all animals, especially dogs. She raised many of them and loved them all very much. They were all part of her family. Each time one of them died, a part of her heart died. Nell worked on the farm with her husband and kids. Also, she worked at the Eastland Livestock Auction for 22 years and met many people. She loved to go dancing and she and Wesley would go dancing on Saturday nights at the American Legion Hall in Breckenridge. This was after the kids grew up enough that they could stay home without a sitter. Nell and Wesley worked several jobs and saw to it the kids got a good education and were so proud of each of them.

Speaking of dancing, Nell told a funny story once. Wesley was dancing with someone and she was sitting at the table. This man, on a crutch, came over and asked her to dance. She thought he was joking. But he kept insisting and so she said “Sure”. Boy could that guy dance with one crutch! If he would have had two crutches there is no telling how well he could have danced. He didn’t step on her toes once, she said.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Wesley Dempsey; daughter, Penni Owens; parents, Myrtle Anderson and John D. Anderson Sr.; her brother; John D. Anderson Jr.; and sister in-law, Helen Bradford. She is survived by her three children, Steve Dempsey of Ranger, Jeri Ponder and husband J.T. of Richland Hills, and Mark Dempsey and wife, Trissie of Breckenridge; son in-law Rusty Owens of Big Lake; eight grandchildren, Todd Dempsey and wife, Sara, Camri Breeding and husband Jeff, Alex Dempsey and wife Kenzie, Corey Owens and wife Shauna, Jeff Dempsey and wife Alma, Darci Owens, Stephanie Dempsey, and Kim (Fisher) Grippe; and 11 great-grandchildren, Brynn and Faith Breeding, Kinley and Colton Grippe, Connor Dempsey, Brooks Dempsey, Ryan Dempsey, Caden Dempsey, Weston Dempsey, Carson Owens and Avery Owens. She also leaves behind two nephews, Cody Bradford, Johnny Anderson; two nieces, Jane Ann Mitchell and Vici Carpenter; sister in-law, Bobbie Anderson; and brother in-law, Don Bradford.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to your favorite charity or to SPCA Ent. Global Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 92240, Washington, DC 20090.