Leona Fae Wilson

Leona “Lee” Fae Callahan Wilson, devoted and beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, niece, cousin, friend and teacher passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2022 at the age of 89. After a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, she is whole again in the arms of her Savior. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Lucy Callahan, sister Alethea McNair, brother Pat Callahan, and sister Dolores Viktorin.

Leona was born March 7, 1933 in Rockne, Texas (a surprise twin of sister Leora) to her parents Earl and Lucy Callahan. She was the fourth of eight children and grew up learning the value of a close-knit family which stayed with her throughout her life. She loved animals and her favorite pastime as a child was playing outdoors and being in nature. She attended Catholic School in Rockne, Texas through the 8th grade, and Bastrop High School and St. Mary’s Academy in Austin, graduating in 1951. After high school, she attended Incarnate Word College for one year, then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. During that time, she met the love of her life, Virgil Wilson. Leona and Virgil married on August 28, 1954 just before he left for Korea for 16 months. While Virgil was away, Leona lived with her parents while finishing her degree in elementary education and then taught school. When Virgil returned, they lived in New Orleans until he was discharged from the army. They moved to Dallas where Virgil worked for Accurate of Texas as a steel rule die maker. They soon found a modest home near a Catholic church - St. Pius X, and when they were bursting at the seams after baby number five, they moved to the home they continued to share for the next 60 years. They raised seven children (five daughters and two sons).

At St. Pius, Leona (nicknamed “Lee” by her friends) volunteered extensively, even serving as President of the Ladies Society and creating the curriculum for the Sunday School program where she taught for many years. Their involvement in church resulted in developing lifelong friendships that filled their lives with fun and companionship. When Virgil started his own business, Lee taught school for a few years in Mesquite, then returned to being a homemaker when their youngest child was born. They worked hard, scrimping and saving, sending all seven of their children to St Pius X Catholic School for elementary and to Bishop Lynch High School. When it was time to start paying for the kids’ college, Lee went back to work as a 1st grade teacher at St. Pius and taught there for the next 20 years until her retirement in 1995. She was beloved by her students, and many still refer to her as their “favorite” teacher.

Lee was a devout Catholic and strived to live a life that honored God and shared the light of Christ. She was a seamstress (made most of the children’s clothes, costumes for school plays, and many brides maids and wedding dresses). She was a baker (famous for her fresh apple cake), loved cross stitch, jigsaw puzzles, turtles and squirrels. Lee was a die-hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks.

She was a loyal sister, beloved aunt and true-blue friend. She constantly gave of herself without expecting anything in return. Lee was always putting others’ needs before her own and always wanted to help make others happy. Her attitude of service was a great example to her children, growing up with an understanding that giving to others is an integral part of life. Though she worked very hard, she made everything look easy. She was a devoted wife, genuinely committed to her husband and her marriage, and who, even after 68 years, still thought her husband hung the moon. She was a loving and dedicated mom who would do anything for her children, a doting Grandmom who spoiled her grandchildren rotten, and an adoring Gigi who delighted in her great-grandbabies. Family was everything to her – where love started and never ended. Her love for her family knew no bounds. She cared for, loved and protected her family fiercely and gently. It was that love that was our foundation.

The family would like to thank Enhabit Hospice, especially Amy, Val and Cinthia for their wonderful service. And a special thank you goes out to Grace Glenn who cared for Mom with the utmost kindness, gentleness and respect.

Surviving Leona are her husband of 68 years, Virgil, brother Murray Callahan, twin sister Leora McCarthy, brother Verlin (wife Jonell), brother Jimmy (wife Fran), sister-in-law Paula Kay Callahan, aunt Virginia Callahan, daughters Lori Rust, Lisa Arriaga, Kelli Briones (husband Rafael), Kathy Light (husband Roger), Sara Valenta (husband Tim), sons Steve Wilson and Paul Wilson, grandchildren Jenna Rust, Jessica Luce (husband Philip), Tommy Rust, Sandra Arriaga (husband Andy Fitzgerald), Martin Arriaga, Ben Briones (wife Kristina), Becky Wilson (husband Ben), Joe Light, Julia Light, Lainey Valenta, Collin Valenta and Sean Valenta and great-grandchildren Bailey Luce, Lukas, Cecilia, Sebastian, Felicity, Zalie and Sofia Briones, and Clara, Emily and Samuel Wilson, many cousins, friends, and nieces and nephews too numerous to count.

Leona was loved beyond measure and will be greatly missed!

Visitation for Leona will be Friday, Sept. 16, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm with a Rosary from 7:00 – 7:30 at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, 10501 Garland Road, Dallas, TX. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3030 Gus Thomasson Road, Dallas, TX. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 3900 Rowlett Road, Rowlett,TX..

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Pius X Catholic School endowment fund in memory of Lee Wilson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Wilson family.