Jennifer Jill Hefner went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, after a 5-year battle with cancer.  She passed peacefully at home with her husband, Tommy, by her side. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 1:00 P.M., at the First Baptist Church in Friona, Texas with Pastor Brett Hoyle officiating.

Jill was born February 17, 1966, in Wheeler, Texas, to Mary Lea and Larry Barbour.  She lived in the panhandle until she was 3 years old.  Her mother married Robert Hefner in 1969 and the family then moved to San Marcos, Texas.  Jill attended San Marcos High School and was a member of the Royal Guard.  She was awarded San Marcos Junior Miss in 1983 and continued on to the state level where she was named 1st Runner Up.  She was the Over All Winner in the Creative and Performing Arts area in recognition of her piano performance. Jill graduated from San Marcos High School in 1985 and then attended Texas Tech University where she earned a degree in Wildlife Management.  She had a passion for animals all of her life.  Jill and Tommy married on January 1, 1989 and together they enjoyed 34 adventure-filled years. Jill and Tommy have 3 children: son, Joshua, who passed away in 1990; daughter, Callie Mae; and son, Thomas Jacob (Jake), who passed away in 2018.

Jill, Tommy and their children enjoyed many wonderful trips to state and national parks.  They shared many adventures together as a family.  Pets and animals were always an important part of their lives.  They moved frequently during the early years, but settled in Friona, Texas in 2000.   Jill homeschooled Callie and Jake, taught them piano, and encouraged their interests in a variety of things.

Jill excelled at many things – music, raising and training dogs, cooking, nurturing all sorts of plants and animals, and most recently, she developed a passion for running her Border Collies at Sheep Dog Trials.  She was gifted at this – more so than she knew.  It wasn't long before she was well-known in the sheep dog trial world.  She enjoyed running her dogs and she treasured the many genuine friends she made along the way.

Jill was an active member of Friona First Baptist Church.  Her faith was rock solid and resolute.  She was faithful to pray for her friends and family.  She loved God with all her heart and was so grateful for His faithful watchcare and provision for her.  Through many losses and trials, she trusted God to be ever-present – and He was.

She was totally devoted to Tommy and to her children and loved them deeply.  They meant the world to her.

Jill was preceded in death by:  son, Joshua;  son, Jake;  father, Larry Barbour;  step-father, Robert Lee Hefner; and her brother, Larry Clayton Barbour.

Jill is survived by her husband of 34 years, Tommy Hefner; daughter, Callie and significant other Colton; grandson, Thomas Rex; mother, Mary Lea Hefner; sister, Cheryl Waggoner; sister-in-law, Julia Barbour; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Memorials can be sent to Imbila Nsuma/ Gospel Wings Zambia, PO Box 66, Schooleys Mountain, NJ 07870 or the Texas Sheepdog Association Board of Directors, Jill Hefner Nursery Dog Memorial Fund, 220 County Rd 505, Goldthwaite, Texas, 76844.

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.colonialfuneralhome.org