Eliza Mae Kindle Wilborn

Eliza Mae Wilborn, affectionally known as Mae, Aunt Mae, Me-Me, and Momma completed her journey in life on September 14, 2025. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard Kindle and Levater Hicks and her husband, Alexander Wilborn. Eliza leaves to cherish her memory her children, David F. Wilborn and Deborah K. Harris; her grandson, Derion D. Harris; her great grandson, Zerion Jordan Harris; brother and sister in-law, Richard and Eleanor Kindle; cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and many loved ones.

Eliza was born on April 1, 1940, in Montgomery, Texas. She attended public school in Conroe and graduated in 1958 from Booker T. Washington School. She matriculated into Prairie View University from 1958-1960. In 1963, she married the love of her life, Alexander Wilborn of Giddings, Texas. They moved to Austin.

While living in Austin, Eliza worked for several years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at Brackenridge Hospital and Seton Hospital. It was during these years Eliza realized her true passion was in nursing. In 1971, Eliza matriculated into the University of Texas, majoring in nursing. She graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in 1976. This accomplishment also led to her achieving licensure as a Registered Nurse. While practicing her profession as an RN, her desire to expand her interest in learning more about the health profession lingered. So, she matriculated into the graduate program at St. Edward's University. Eliza graduated from St. Ed’s with a Master of Arts in Human Services in 1986. From this point her career in the health profession achieved its most consequential development. Eliza was hired as the Assistant Coordinator of Newborn Screening for the Texas Department of Health. Through her office, the TDH compiled significant records and statistics on the state of sickle cell anemia in newborn children who lived in Texas. She traveled around the country presenting high profile workshops and clinics that revealed important information on sickle cell anemia. Health professionals and institutional health authorities throughout the United States attended her sessions. They took her research findings back to their institutions and used the information for their own work.

In 2000, Eliza retired from the Texas Department of Health. Her 17 years of dedicated service was hailed in the highest esteem by health officials around the country. The culmination of her work resulted in numerous accolades. In 1990, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Additionally, she was awarded a certificate of recognition by the Texas Pediatric Society for Distinguished Service to Children; awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the San Antonio Sickle Cell Anemia Association; and she was presented the Collaborative Partnership Award by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America by the Greater Fort Worth Texas Chapter.

Eliza was a remarkable woman who worked hard to maintain family structure. She protected her family from harm, and encouraged everyone to put forth their best in life. She believed in establishing core family values and this was handed down to her children, David and Deborah. To no surprise, one of her family values meant that David and Deborah would successfully graduate from high school and immediately enter college. There was no compromise nor any bargaining when it came to pursuing a college education. David and Deborah were going to college and that was that! She supported both kids financially and spiritually. Her heart was filled with joy upon seeing both of her kids achieving a bachelor’s degree. In her eyes, this was a huge milestone and a indicator of success as a parent.

Eliza had a wonderful life. While in retirement, she enjoyed traveling around the world on cruise ships, spending time with family and watching her children grow into their adult lives. She loved reading books, collecting pictures of family and friends, and crocheting colorful blankets which she often presented as gifts to family members and friends. She was the best chef, and many of her skills were passed on to her children, especially David. Everyone loved her pound cakes, cornbread dressing, peanut brittle, lemon meringue pie, sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole, giblet gravy and numerous other foods. She welcomed so many people into her home, especially those who were friends and acquaintances of David and Deborah. They especially enjoyed the many times barbecue, fajitas and delicious desserts were served. Perhaps Eliza’s greatest skill was serving as a teacher to her kids who learned the value of a dollar, respect for other people, the importance of home ownership, the importance of serving God and the importance of an education. She has and will always remain an enormous influence in the lives of those whom she touched.