Graveside services for Rilda Baker Wolf, 88, of Nacogdoches, TX, and formerly of Commerce, TX, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce with Rev. Tim Watson officiating. Mrs. Wolf passed away July 13, 2018, in Nacogdoches. She was born August 25, 1929, in Ramona, OK, to Dewitt and Maude Hamon Baker. Mrs. Wolf was a graduate of Vera (OK) High School and Oklahoma State University. Mrs. Wolf was an active member of First Baptist Church, Commerce, from 1966-2004. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Baptist Church, Nacogdoches.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie D. Wolf; parents, Dewitt & Maude Baker; brother & wife, Frank & Melonee Baker; granddaughter, Christine Wolf; brother-in-law, Lauren Clark; brother-in-laws & wives, Henry & Kathleen Wolf, and John M. & Thelma Wolf; sister-in-law & husband, Frances & Louis Lile; and son-in-law, James K. Greer.
Mrs. Wolf is survived by her sisters, Mildred Whitlock of Claremore, OK, and Wilma Clark of Jersey Village; sons & wives, Gary & Sheri Wolf of Mansfield, and Steve & Katie Wolf of Lazbuddie; daughters, Becky Greer of Center, and Elisabeth McGuire & husband Andy of Longview; and brother-in-law and wife, Paul & Ruth Wolf of Guthrie, OK. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and spouses: Collin & Courtney Greer of Shelbyville, Angie & Martin Oliveraz of Nashville, TN, Kristen & Greg Clark of Rio Vista, Annie & Daryn Sims of Henrietta, Brad & Jessica McGuire of Nacogdoches, Sarah Wolf of Waxahachie, Ann-Marie Montou of Burleson, Drew McGuire of Austin, Molly & Stephen Tankersley of Memphis, TN, Stefanie Wolf of Canyon, and Zach Montou of Mansfield. Mrs. Wolf is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Camille Greer, Carter Greer, Ezra Oliveraz, Arie Oliveraz and Clayton Clark. In addition she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Her early years were spent on the family farm in northeast Oklahoma where she was involved in farm life, 4-H Club work and sports. The youngest of four children, she loved having fun and being the center of attention. She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class. A highlight of her early years was being named Outstanding 4-H Girl for the state of Oklahoma and being recognized at a luncheon in Oklahoma City which featured Margaret Truman as guest speaker. At the luncheon she met her future husband, Jimmie, who was honored as Oklahoma’s Outstanding FFA Member the same year. They were college sweethearts and married in 1949. Mrs. Wolf completed her college degree at Oklahoma State University in Home Economics Education. She loved books and was an avid reader most of her life.
A few years after her marriage, Jimmie had an opportunity to participate in the Point Four Program, co-sponsored by USDA and OSU, teaching at Imperial Ethiopian College of Agriculture. They moved with their two young children around the globe and made their home in Ethiopia for four years. She enjoyed seeing the world while traveling to and from Ethiopia. Mrs. Wolf was employed as a librarian at the college and their third child was born in Ethiopia. She and her husband were instrumental in establishing and conducting church services for the American families associated with the college. Upon return to the U.S., they lived in Stillwater, OK, where she worked as a nursery school dietician and where their fourth child was born. Later they moved to Commerce, TX, which became their home for the next thirty-eight years. After staying at home with her children for a number of years, Mrs. Wolf was employed in the Financial Aid Office at Texas A&M University-Commerce and later as a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher for Lone Oak ISD. After retiring, she and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. Following her husband’s death, Mrs. Wolf moved to Nacogdoches. Throughout her life she was involved in church work, community activities, 4-H Club leadership and work with international students, She was known for being an excellent cook and skilled in needle arts. She loved flowers and gardening and preserved large quantities of fruits and vegetables. Her personal faith and prayer were of always of utmost importance in her life.
Special thanks are extended to Magnolia Court Assisted Living and Memory Care and Hospice of East Texas for their loving care of Mrs. Wolf during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation, P.O. Box 11020, College Station, Texas 77842-1020, or online at https://texas4hfoundation.org/give/
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
