Wilmagene Kendrick Ricks

Born to Alson Green and Ruby (Lee) Kendrick on September 9, 1925, in Harlingen, Texas, Wilmagene Ricks entered eternity May 6, 2021. She graduated from Harlingen High School and then wed William Simpson Ricks, Jr. October 3, 1942. They celebrated their 71st anniversary in 2013 surrounded by family and friends. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Jeanne Sanders, her sisters, Maudie Ruth Kendrick Vehring and Mary Ellen Kendrick Johnson Rasco, her brother, Orville Ray Kendrick, her niece, Deborah Ann Kendrick Winfield, her nephews, Orville Ray Kendrick, Jr, Nellis Lee Johnson and Robert August Vehring. Wilmagene is survived by her brothers, Arnold Lewis Kendrick and Robert Roy Kendrick, daughters, Cheryl Kathleen Smith and Rhea Elizabeth Elliott (and husband Brady), grandchildren Juliana Elizabeth Ewer (Ronald), Jennifer Dawn Barr (Timothy), Adrian Winthrope Ricks Elliott, Aaron Bradley Smith (Jamie), Jason Lawrence Elliott and Miranda George, and great grandchildren Brandon Ewer, Cameron Ewer, Colton Barr, Kylie Smith, Savanah Smith, Michael Ucker and Ronan Elliott and numerous nieces and nephews.

Blessed with many wonderful friends, Wilma led an exemplary life and loved unconditionally. She spent a lifetime in service to God learning to read Greek so that she might better understand the Word of God, teaching Bible classes to adults and to children in her role as Kindergarten teacher at Lackland Baptist School and as Sunday School and Vacation Bible school teacher wherever she lived. Wilma was never too busy to help those in need. Many are those, from runaway girls to students studying for the ministry or medicine, who could tell of her loving aid. She also served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and camp counselor as her daughters were growing up.

Wilmagene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. As a military wife she moved many times during her husband’s military career. She loved seeing new places and meeting new people. She always created a comfortable home for her family as the Air Force ordered her husband to foreign and domestic assignments. She greatly enjoyed travel and sightseeing, oil painting, journaling, playing dominoes, working jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. Wilma loved animals and helped her grandchildren with their pet care.

The last several years of Wilma’s life, declining steadily with Alzheimer’s dementia, magnified the sweetness of her being. She thought she was a young child once again living with her long-deceased parents. She smiled lovingly at everyone. She was as gracious and considerate of everyone as she had always been. Singing hymns in her clear voice, unaltered by age, became Wilma’s consistent activity. Wilma will be missed by her friends and family until they join her in the presence of Christ.

FUNERAL SERVICE

MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021

11:00 AM

LACKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH

2718 FRONTIER DR.

Interment will follow in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, where Wilmagene will rejoin her husband, William Ricks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Lackland Baptist Church (2718 Frontier) where she quietly worshiped and served God for decades.