Mildred "Millie" Jean Hacker

Mildred “Millie” Hacker, 90, formerly of Stratford, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023. A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 10:30 in the morning at Stratford Cemetery with a memorial service to follow at 1 o’clock in the afternoon at Stratford First Methodist Church with Rev. Todd Dyess, officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Beeson ~Morrison Funeral Directors. 

Four score and ten years ago, God chose to give a gift to Sherman County and Stratford, TX. Millie was born September 12, 1932, in Stratford, TX to Harold Cleve “HC” and Beatrice “Penny” Bennett. She graduated from Stratford High School in 1951 and attended West Texas State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1955. During her time in college, Millie was a member of the first Texas State 4-H Council and was a 4-H youth exchange student to Germany. After graduation, Millie married the love of her life, Alvin J.D. Hacker on August 21, 1955, and they made Stratford their home.  Millie was a devoted housewife and would spend her time raising her children, Ty, Jay, Betty Jean, and her grandchildren, while helping Alvin with their first businesses, the bait shop and opening the Elk Drive In Theatre in 1958. Throughout her life in Stratford, Millie became quite the cowgirl and would be involved in many interests. Many will remember her as a woman with a multitude of colorful hats and clothing. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church where she served as church secretary for 25 years, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Methodist Bell Choir. Millie had a passion for art and music and taught lessons as well as displaying her artwork at Dumas Museum and Art Center. She loved her town and spent many hours volunteering at Coldwater Manor, sitting for Morrisons Funeral Home and sharing Stratford history by volunteering at Sherman County Depot Museum.  Millie was a ray of sunshine for many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband (2002), daughter Betty Laxson (2019) and sister Nancy Salisbury (2022). 

Millie is survived by; sons: Ty Hacker of Stratford, TX and Jay Bennett Hacker Sr. of Amarillo, TX; brother: Hal Bennett and wife Jeannie; sister: Pam Carson and husband Jay of Boise City, OK; grandchildren: Jeanie Gavigan of New York City, NY, J. Blake Laxson of Florida, J.B. Hacker and wife Andrea of Amarillo, TX, Michael Hacker and wife Emily of Colorado, Wylie Hacker, and Roy Hacker both of Amarillo, TX. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and other family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Sherman County Depot Museum, 17 N. Main Street, Stratford, TX 79084 or Dumas Museum and Art Center, 1820 South Dumas Avenue, Dumas, TX 79029.