WYOMING — The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) announced its selection of Abbea Faris of Laramie to assume the Region 3 Director’s position. Faris will take over for Georgeann (Mrs. Andy) Wearin who resigned recently to enjoy a family move to Texas.
“I am completely honored to have been voted into such an honorable community that represents and reveres old time cowboys and cowgirls. I can’t wait to grow and learn what this is all about, and I give thanks and glory for this opportunity to our gracious, loving Heavenly Father,” Faris said.
Born and raised a cowgirl in the Laramie area, Faris has been a-horseback since she could walk—out on ranches, drawing knowledge from the deep wells of grandparents and others she admires and loves. She’s learned by doing.
“My paternal grandparents Jock and Betty Faris are old-time cowboys that got me into roping. Some of my favorite memories involve working experiences on their little ranch,” Faris said.
Abbea has rodeo blood. As a youngster, she was soon running barrels and poles, competing in goat tying, breakway and team roping—wherever they’d take her entry fees. She even showed mules with a cousin! Successful in Junior High/High School rodeo her final year of high school, Faris represented Wyoming in breakaway roping at the “World’s Largest Rodeo”National High School Finals, placing 3rd among hundreds in the second round.
Faris was a college rodeo standout, graduating with General Science of Ag and Ag Business Degrees, and began an Ag Communications degree.
“After college, the Lord moved me down to East Texas where I worked for a ministry program, as well as a cutting horse and cattle ranch,” Faris shared. “I then moved home to Laramie to be closer to my sister, niece and nephew, and my best friend—my 90-year-old grandfather Lewis Vavra. I’m grateful for so much we enjoyed from him and grandma while growing up, so whatever time he has left, I feel like I owe to him.”
Once back in Laramie, Faris started a small young-adult group bible study. She sometimes leads worship at ‘cowboy church’ with her grandpa Faris. Abbea also operates “a little in-home elderly care ministry she launched called God’s Grace Elderly Ministry, for ranchers and cowboys.
Faris admits she is transitioning from rodeo to ranching these days.
“Over the last couple years, I have gotten more into the ranching side of things and absolutely love it. I’m always trying to learn, and grow my knowledge and experience in the Western world and way of life,” she says. “I day-work some around Wheatland and Laramie for my aunt and uncle, along with other local ranchers.”
