Lela W. Simcox

Lela Wilda Simcox died peacefully at the age of 79 on December 10, 2010. Born in Paris, Arkansas, on July 24, 1931 to Nellie and Elmer Grissom, she was the ninth of ten children. After graduating from Paris High School in 1949, Wilda moved to Oklahoma City where she met and married Thomas Everett Simcox. Married for 52 years, Tom and Wilda had one daughter, Leslie. Wilda was employed for many years at Deaconess Hospital and served as a unit secretary for the medical/surgical units. Her most cherished role in life was that of grandmother to her two grandsons, Stuart and Bennett Hudson. Wilda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She faced her prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease with an uncommon sense of grace and humor that was an inspiration to all who knew her. Wilda was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and Elmer, her husband, Thomas, and siblings, Calvin Grissom, Ezra Grissom, Rosa Bernard, Dick Grissom, Wanda Nelson, and Fred Grissom. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Hudson, son-in-law, Cliff Hudson, grandsons, Stuart and Bennett Hudson, and siblings, Oralee Blattler, Ellen Eberhardt and Arvel Grissom, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. James Thayer, Dr. Lawrence Davis, the wonderful caregivers at St. Ann’s Home, Epworth Villa and Quality Hospice, and home health aides, Krista Artherholt and Sharon Borst for years of loving care for Tom and Wilda. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Alzheimer’s research, www.omrf.org, or to Infant Crisis Center, www.infantcrisis.org. Services will be held Monday, December 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK.

Condolences may be offered at www.guardianwestfuneralchapel.com