Willie Mae Wafer

Born Oct. 21, 1910, in Pine Bluff, Ark., she passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, at The Retirement Center at age 96. A retired secretary for Ouachita High School in Monroe, she was a resident of Baton Rouge and a former resident of Monroe. She was a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge Chapter 163 of Order of the Eastern Star and Mystic Star Chapter 108 of Order of the Eastern Star, having served as a past worthy matron. She was also a member of White Shrine and the Order of Amaranth. An accomplished pianist, she served as the pianist and organist for her church and several Masonic orders. Visiting will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, Sept. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with an Order of Eastern Star service at 6 p.m. Visiting will continue at the funeral home chapel on Saturday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ken Carroll. Graveside service at 3 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Cemetery, Monroe. Mrs. Wafer is survived by her son, Tom, of Baton Rouge, and his son, Doug; and two daughters, Patricia Wafer and Martha Jo Wafer Byers, her husband, David, and his son, James. She is also survived by her son, Bill, his wife, Barbara, who live in Katy, Texas, and their son and three daughters, Barbara Ann Hall and her husband, Ray, William J. Wafer Jr. and his wife, Penny, Melissa Besselman and her husband, Rick, and Sandra Patterson, her husband, Jerett, and their families, including Mrs. Wafer's 12 great-grandchildren, Shaun, Brett and Tarah Hall, B.J., Samantha, Kaleb and Joshua Wafer, Ryan, Reed and Madison Besselman and Zachary and Hannah Patterson. She is also survived by a great-great-grandson, Hoah Hall, the son of Brett, and Ashley Hall. Mrs. Wafer is preceded in death by her husband, Tom D. Wafer Sr. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815.