October 8, 1936 – August 5, 2026
Surrounded by her loving family, Wilda Beverage, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, August 5, 2026, at Clovis Community Medical Center.
Wilda was born to Roy and Ruby (Harris) McRee on October 8, 1936, in Dixieland, near Chowchilla. She was the daughter of a minister and businessman and the middle child of three children, with an older brother, Aaron McRee, and a younger sister, Janelle (McRee) Campbell.
Wilda was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-six years, Bill Beverage; her twin grandsons, Brandon and Bryan Epley; her parents, Reverend R.L. and Ruby McRee; her sister, Janelle (McRee) Campbell; her brother, Aaron McRee; her father and mother-in-law, Glenn and Velma Beverage; and her brothers-in-law, Jim Beverage, Bob Beverage, David Escobedo, and Bob Campbell.
Wilda’s surviving sisters-in-law are Shirley McRee, Cecilia Beverage, Helen Escobedo, Vivian Beverage, and Linda Sidlinger. Her only surviving brother-in-law is Don Beverage and his wife, Ginny, of Yorba Linda, California.
Wilda attended local schools in Chowchilla, graduating from Chowchilla High School in 1954. She loved school and was an excellent student and avid reader, always thirsting for more learning and knowledge.
Gardening was one of the things she loved doing in her “free time,” growing beautiful flowers, plants, and delicious vegetables for her family. She loved to fish alongside her husband, Bill, and accompany him on some of his hunting trips to Colorado.
Wilda grew up playing dominoes and not only knew what dominoes she had in her hand, but had an incredible ability to know what other players had in their hands. She was virtually impossible to beat. She played to win, and that is exactly what she did—she always seemed to win!
Wilda can be described as a devout Christian lady, exemplifying the passage described in Proverbs 31 in the Bible. She and her husband, Bill, were the founders and builders of what is now known as the Le Grand Bible Church in the mid-sixties. She worked alongside her husband, pastoring the church for fifteen years.
She was actively involved in working with the community to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mrs. Beverage was a teacher in the Good News Club, Vacation Bible School, Kids’ Crusades, and Sunday School throughout her lifetime, until she retired from formally teaching children in church at the age of eighty. She loved teaching and was a “Master Teacher!”
During her lifetime, Wilda dedicated herself to raising four daughters. She taught them the importance of not only knowing and studying the Bible, but also making application of it to their own lives. She taught them the way to true joy in life: putting Jesus first and others second. She taught her daughters to serve Christ by serving others first.
That was a tall order to follow, but we knew it proved true, bringing us purpose and fulfillment in life! She was a Godly mother and taught by example.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with them, whether it was traveling near or flying far to see them compete in their favorite sport, celebrating a college graduation or a wedding, attending a church function such as a baptism, or going somewhere on vacation with them. You could always count on Grandma also known as "Nanny” being there for each and every one of her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her last words to us were: “I love my family!”
Wilda can be described as a loving, compassionate, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, “Nanny,” caring cousin, and loyal friend. Wilda leaves behind many cherished nephews and nieces, with whom she shared numerous happy times, along with lots of wonderful cousins and lifelong friends.
She will be greatly missed and is irreplaceable, leaving behind her four daughters and their families: Connie Hadley (David), Sandi Hamilton (Jeff), Renee Epley (Rod), and Billi Olson (Eric)
Her six grandchildren are: Kristen (Epley) Wooten (Mike), Ryan Hamilton (Holly), Juliette (Hamilton) Gassaway (Levi), Cameron Epley (Holland), Matthew Beverage Hadley, and Makala Olson.
Mrs. Beverage leaves behind eight great-grandchildren: Brayden and Hudson Wooten; Huxley, Bowen, and Anniston Hamilton; Hazel and Greta Gassaway; and Abigail Epley. A great-grandson, Brock Epley, is scheduled to arrive in September 2026.
A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Mrs. Wilda Beverage on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Chowchilla First Assembly of God Church, located at 317 Orange Avenue, Chowchilla, California.
Donations in honor of Wilda Beverage can be made to:
Convoy of Hope P.O. Box 1125, Springfield, MO 65801
Faith Home Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 611, Turlock, CA 95381-0611
Madera Rescue Mission, 332 Elm Street, Madera, CA 93638
Please join us in remembering Wilda Jo Beverage by visiting our Memorial at www.wordenchapel.com
Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Beverage Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, Lori Whatley, Funeral Arranger
