Miriam "Gwen" Laminack

Miriam Gwendolyn Gilbreath Laminack - (Gwen)

Gwen Laminack started life simply. She was born at home on December 16, 1931, in Floydada, Texas, to parents Howard Vernon and Emma Martin Gilbreath. Gwen grew up in Quitman, Texas and graduated from Quitman High School in 1949. She married Robert Doyle Laminack on December 25, 1950. They moved to Amarillo, where they raised their family and owned and operated Amarillo Floor Company. She passed peacefully at her home in Amarillo on January 31, 2025.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bob Laminack, in 1990; her parents; siblings Glenn Gilbreath, Janan Rushing, and Howard Gilbreath, Jr.; great-grandsons Patrick Hogan, Klayton and Kashton Jackson, and Jones Corbin. She is survived by her six children and their families: Debra Corbin and Troy of Happy Valley, Oregon; Donna Miller and Shott of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Beverly Hogan and Jim of Boston, NY; Anita Piper and John of Amarillo; Robert Laminack, Jr. and Cari of Amarillo; and Stacie Wetzel and John of Amarillo. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings Mattie Wynne and Ronnie of North Richland Hills, TX; Reggie Gilbreath of Lubbock, TX; Trish Milner and Steve of Belton, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She was called by many names: Gwen, Mom, Aunt Gwen, Ma, Grandma Gwen, Maf-maf, and Grandma.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, Sunday School teacher, lawbreaker, business co-owner, extracurricular activity booster, mother-in-law, grandmother, breast cancer survivor, widow, CEO, great-grandmother, penny slots enthusiast.

Mom was not flamboyant in the way she lived her life. She was definitely the strong wind that blew, the unseen force of nature. She got things done. Gwen worked tirelessly behind the scenes, not expecting or seeking recognition. She wasn’t in a position to pursue higher education; her bookkeeping and business skills were self-taught. She worked alongside Daddy at Amarillo Floor Company, managing the finances while he ran the jobs – a true team formulated for success.

Six children provided Mom with the opportunity to be a booster extraordinaire. She started working in the nursery at Temple Baptist Church in 1957, when a crying baby (Beverly) didn’t want to be left in the nursery. It was during this time that she was operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license. She was a longstanding PTA member at Wolflin Elementary School, from 1960 to 1980 – she got a three-year reprieve between Beverly and Anita. 

As a booster of her loved ones’ extracurricular activities, she supported Range Riders Grey Horse Drill Team (Daddy); piano (Debra, Donna, Anita, Robert, and Stacie); ROTC (Donna); Sandie Steppers, DECA and barrel racing (Beverly); volleyball (Anita); soccer and cheerleading (Robert).

Not only was Mom a champion of family; we discovered she was a champion herself. 1965 saw her inducted into the Amarillo Bowl Over 200 Bowling Club!

Education was important to Mom – and Daddy. All six children have college degrees or higher. Her support and encouragement has continued to the next generations.

When she became a grandmother, Mom’s support of extracurricular activities ramped up. She attended many soccer, football, baseball, softball and volleyball games, stock shows, and concerts for grandkids and great-grandkids. Mom loved the many trips attending Aubree Piper’s Texas Tech volleyball games. She enjoyed watching Luke Laminack’s TCU football games, with his brother Jake coaching her on football positions. Mom followed Bridget Hogan’s Niagara University softball, Jack Wetzel’s West Texas A&M soccer, and Kaylee Jackson’s WOSU basketball.

Throughout her life, Mom supported others. She was not only a mother to her own children, but also nurtured and helped her siblings get a strong start in their adult lives. Her impact and influence was not just the monetary contributions she made, but the time she gave. She taught Sunday School nursery for 65 years. She was a member of Joy Club and helped make hundreds of quilts with Hand in Hand.

These accounts describe what others saw of our mother, but those closest to her know her every step was driven by the simple fact that she lived as a child of God. The love she had for her heavenly Father was exemplified in her service to Him, the values she instilled in her family, and the integrity with which she ran her business. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved her more than words can say, for her blunt but honest ways, her gentle words of encouragement and her high expectations for each and every one of us. We are thankful for every hour, every minute, every second of every day of the blessed life she shared with us.

So how did she live her life?

Her favorite passage Proverbs 3:5-6 is the best lesson she leaves for all:

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

 and lean not on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge Him 

 and He shall direct your paths.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity or one of Gwen’s favorites: Temple Baptist Church, 3208 S Van Buren, Amarillo, TX 79109; Kashton Jackson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o 4825 S. Western, Amarillo, TX 79109; Jones Clinton Corbin Endowment for Childhood Epilepsy, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, OHSU Foundation, PO Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296.