Willie Mae Roland

She was born in Caldwell County to Lino and Frances Wells and baptized as an infant at St. James Methodist Church in Luling, Texas. Her parents and stepmother, Lillian Wells preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death are her siblings, Pearline Ferrell, Frances Hall, Lino Wells, Jr., and Reuben M. Wells.

Willie Mae completed her education in Luling, Texas and attended Prairie View A&M, College Station, Texas. She was united in Holy Matrimony to her late husband, Vernon L. Roland on May 23, 1942. This union was blessed with a son, Johnnie Earl Roland. The family relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas.

In June 1942, Willie Mae united with St. Matthew Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. B. E. Joushaway. Above all, she was a woman of faith. She was a virtuous woman who loved her church and served faithfully. Willie Mae was actively involved in the Women’s Mission Union, Choir, Ministers, Deacons, and Trustee Wives, Sunday School, and Baptist Training Union.

Willie Mae worked for ten years in retail working at Fedways and Frost Brothers. She retired from the Texas Youth Commission after twenty-one years of service. She loved her family dearly. Willie Mae was a woman of great style and was a great cook. Some of her most cherished moments were spending time with her special group of friends at her home.

She will forever be loved by her son, Johnnie Earl Roland, step-daughter, Gardie Mae Reed, three grandchildren, Johnnie E. Roland, Jr. (Holly), James Roland (Jamie), and Cynnamon Roland, great grandchildren, Courtney Hensley (Matthew), Adam Roland (Melanie), Ashley Roland, Kyle Roland, Jasmine Smith-Washington (Gaige), Teko Roland Ladson, Jaleel Roland, great-great grandchildren, Sophia Washington and Hayes Roland, nieces, Frances Cade, Marian Munerlyn (Cubby), Janester Short (Ted), and Ruby Pollard, nephew, Reuben Wells, Jr., special daughter, Barbara Gibson, and special dear friend, Evelyn Miller, and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives Willie Mae touched.

Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 12:30 PM. Celebration of Life Services will begin at 2:00 PM with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Roland family.