Wilma Rebecca Leslie's Obituary
MEMPHIS
Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2012 in the historic Presbyterian Building (formerly First Presbyterian Church), Memphis, Texas with Rev. Robert G. Blum, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Memphis, officiating.
Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Wilma Rebecca Leslie, 101, entered into eternal rest with her Lord and Savior on January 8, 2012 with her loving family surrounding her.
Mrs. Leslie was born in Fannin County, Texas, December 25, 1910 to Cecelia Roberta Barry Jones and George W. Jones. She moved with her family to Slaton, Texas when she was 10 years old. The family moved to Lamesa, Texas when Wilma was in high school. After graduating from Lamesa High School in 1928, she enrolled in Texas Technological College, majoring in Home Economics. She taught in rural schools in the area. She met Will E. (Bill) Leslie while attending Texas Tech. She was a freshman and he was a senior. Bill received his degree in engineering in the 1929 first full four-year graduating class of Texas Tech. Bill and Wilma married in Lamesa, Texas on December 25, 1931. They lived throughout the state for the next 20 years with Bill’s work as an engineer. They had four daughters, Bettye, Linda, Kay and Celia. Wilma enjoyed sewing for the girls, cooking and volunteering with school, scout and church activities. The Leslie’s always enjoyed growing and working with flowers and in 1951, they made a bold professional move by purchasing a flower shop in Memphis, Texas. For the next 30 years, the family owned and operated Leslie’s Flowers, selling the business and retiring in 1981. Participating in and volunteering in, church and community affairs was a way of life for Wilma.
She was life member of Eastern Star, Mother Advisor to Rainbow Girls, Brownie and Girl Scout leader; she was a member of Memphis Chapter of Business & Professional Women’s Club, Charter Member of the Hall County Hospital Auxiliary; she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and other charitable organizations. She was an active member of the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce for over 50 years. She was honored as the Women’s Division “Woman of the Year” in 1992. She was a Charter Member of the Red River Red Hatters and served as Queen Mother. The Leslie’s joined the Presbyterian Church early in their marriage. She and Bill were both ordained elders and served on the Session numerous terms and Wilma served as Clerk of the Session for 30 years. She taught Sunday school for many years, was Women’s Bible Study leader and coordinated fellowship and bereavement meals. When the Presbytery closed the Memphis church, she transferred her membership to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lubbock, Texas. Wilma was recognized on December 14, 2001 by the Amarillo Globe-News as Volunteer of the Day. In March 2011, Wilma was honored at the Memphis Chamber of Commerce Banquet as “Woman of the Year”.
The Leslie’s traveled throughout the world with the FTD Florist’ Association, visiting floral gardens, attending world renown design schools and making lifelong florist friends. She also enjoyed traveling to see her daughters and attending the graduations of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and taking an annual trip with the four girls every year.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the excellent staff at BSA Hospice, Amarillo, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, her brother, Weldon Jones and her parents.
She is survived by her four daughters and husbands, Bettye and Joe Bob Browning of Amarillo, Linda and Robert Sanders of Lubbock, Kay and Jerry McCarty of Memphis and Celia and E. W. Godfrey of Houston; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandsons.
Memorials in remembrance of Wilma may be made to The Preservation Foundation, P. O. Box 295, Memphis, TX 79245 for preserving and maintaining the Presbyterian Building or to a favorite charity.
THE FAMILY WILL BE AT: 803 Brice / Memphis, Texas 79245 / Phone #: (806)259-3752
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