Cora Wells Usry of Hondo, 86, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Born in Philadelphia PA, Feb. 24, 1930, she was the daughter of Samuel and Gladys Baker Wells. In about 1935 her family moved from Philadelphia to California where she spent her formative years growing up. Like for so many, right after the depression, times were hard. As she grew up, she began taking the trolley car to the famous Hollywood Bowl where she loved seeing the big bands, Desi Arnaz and others. Times were different after the war. The family then moved to Harlingen, about 1947, to find work. What a change for Cora, from the Hollywood Bowl experience to Harlingen, Texas. Being the eldest of six children, she had to help support the family. She quit school and began working at Day's Drug Store at the luncheon counter and hamburger grill. She enjoyed meeting people, day in and day out. Later, she had a blind date with a local boy, Leo Usry of LaFeria. Cora and Leo were married in Harlingen and, in 1959, children started to arrive, first, Carol, then three years later, Jean. Cora enjoyed being with her family and friends. Her passion was reading. In the summer of 1963 they moved to the small town of Hondo. After they were in Hondo a couple of years, where there was no library, a lady by the name of Lottie Maw started organizing a group of ladies to help get a library started. Cora jumped right in with the project. The books were donated, some gently used, some not. The crew of women rotated, under Lottie's direction, to get the books card catalog ready. This took about a year and Cora loved seeing the books increasing in number on the shelves. Her other passions were art and music. She had begun oil painting in 1956. To continue in Hondo, she became a member of the River Art Group in San Antonio in the mid-1960s. She found acrylics dried faster than oils and later tried watercolors, which she also liked. Cora and Leo moved back to Harlingen, due to his health and they felt they were back home. She became a member of the Harlingen Art Group for a number of years. At age 55, she decided to get her GED. After the love of her life died, Cora stayed in Harlingen for a while before moving back to Hondo in 2002. She was so excited to become part of the Hondo Art League and retained membership even after she could no longer attend meetings. She loved her "art family" as well as her line dancing "family" at the Nutrition Center. Painting and playing her music were her enjoyment. Cora will be missed. Her quick wit and sense of humor will remain with all who knew her. Cora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo Usry; daughter, Jean Ingendorf; brothers, Sammy Wells and Tommy Wells; and sister, Shirley Jean Wiseman. Survivors include her daughter, Carol (Walter) Schoellman of Hondo; grandchildren, Shauna Schoellman of San Antonio, Phillip (Stephanie) Schoellman of Hondo, Paul (Jennifer) Ingendorf of Plano and Lee Ann Ingendorf of Ft. Worth; great-grandchildren, Walker Smith, Nate and Christopher Ingendorf; brother, Gerry Wells of Illinois; and sister, Nanette Bridle of Colorado. Memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2:00 p.m., at the Guinn-Horger Chapel. The family suggests memorials may be made to Hondo Art League Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 264, Hondo TX 78861.