Wilma Cloe Wilson

05/03/1919 - 06/18/2018

Every good & perfect gift is from above ...

Our blessed & most beloved mother, Wilma Cloe Wilson (formerly Parker, nee Agee) passed peacefully in the early afternoon of June 18, 2018. On the day that she passed, and in her days preceding, she was surrounded by the loving support of family, friends and care staff, and eternally supported in her Faith. She was born May 3rd, 1919, and was 99 years of age at her passing.

Wilma was preceded by her parents, George Mathew Wiseman Agee and Edith Eva McDaniel Agee; also by siblings Clyde, Bernice (“Bernie”), Lena, George, Dorothy and Cecil; she was preceded as well by first husband, Roy Clay (“Dutchie” to family, “Bonnie” to his Limoneira coworkers) Parker (9/17/1913 - 1/18/1983) and second husband, the late Rev. Lloyd R. Wilson (6/27/1912 - 10/27/2003).

Wilma is survived by her daughter, Karen (“I am your ‘daughter forever,’” Karen would proclaim, “...forever and forever...,” our mom would respond. I thank God for you!) (Karen Parker Anderson, and husband, Larry Anderson); son, Jeff (Jeffrey Clay Parker); and granddaughter, Stephanie (Stephanie Akie Parker).

Wilma was born in Buffalo, Missouri.

Her family came to California in the 1920s after the family farm was destroyed in a hailstorm. For a period of time, her family followed the crops, picking fruit locally and in Modesto. The family eventually settled in Santa Paula, and were among the survivors of the St. Francis Dam disaster of 1928.

Wilma’s first job was at age 10, doing ironing for a woman in the community who paid her extra because of the quality of her work.

Wilma married the late Roy Clay Parker on November 4, 1938.

They adopted Karen Denise (God had a plan) who was born on March 30, 1954, and three years later, adopted Jeffrey Clay (God again had a plan) who was born on February 5, 1957.

Clay, who was employed with the Limoneira Company - having begun his employment as a spray rig operator as a young man (accompanied by one of his brothers, he “rode the rails” from Oklahoma to California, during the Dust Bowl), but who retired after over forty years of employment, as superintendent of all farming operations - passed away on January 18, 1983.

On February 14th, 1989, Wilma married the late Reverend Lloyd R. Wilson, with whom she enjoyed sharing religious service in their Christian faith community.

Lloyd passed away on October 27, 2003.

Wilma graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1937, and 70(!) years later, retired from her position as Class Correspondent. After seven decades of service, she decided that she had become “a little bit tired of it.”

Wilma never gave up her desire to go to college, and achieved her AA degree from Ventura College. She took classes during her lunch hour, and while working full-time as an administrative secretary in the Ventura College Physical Education Department as well as tending to her family, of course, graduated with a 4.0 GPA having achieved straight As in all of her classes.

Along the way she also learned Spanish to assist her in helping out at local schools. A person who always enjoyed learning new things she held a particular interest in geology.

Wilma participated in cancer research for the American Cancer Society, and was a genealogist, compiling information on five families.

In addition to baking, cooking, and canning, Wilma had also been compiling a cookbook of her favorite recipes. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed needlework and crocheting. She also had an enviably “green thumb,” successfully rehabilitating a number of Karen’s expiring houseplants over the years.

Wilma was an accomplished watercolorist (including a work entitled “Utah Calls,” one of Karen’s favorites), and worked as well in charcoal and pastels before relinquishing her brush and palettes for family responsibilities after Karen and Jeff came along.

She continued to enjoy photography and writing (“When it’s time to write, thoughts take wing... How will the opus stand...when in your hand?”) (from the poem, “Assignment Butterflies,” by Wilma Parker, 4/23/1979).

At 87 years of age, Wilma asked for a cell phone, and stated that she would like to learn how to use the computer, but she “just hadn’t had the time.”

Her religious faith was always principally important to her, and until a number of years ago, she was active in the Silvertones senior choir of her home church, Ventura Missionary Church, singing and serving as choir secretary, and enjoying religious service in this way.

In general, faith, family, friendships and fidelity to her commitments have always been centrally important to her.

Our family wishes to convey thanks to they many people who have contributed to our mother’s care. We make special mention of and convey our enduring gratitude to the office of JN Warwar, MD: the medical excellence that was provided by Doctor coupled with my mother’s grateful respect - that translated in part to diligent compliance with her treatment - we are certain decisively contributed to the extended time that we were allowed with her. We convey special thanks as well to the office of Dr. Eric Birdwell,

including nursing staff, Samantha & Lorena; our mom loved her little stuffed animals - I make special note of the green elephant, the “Hugs” blue hippo & her yellow monkey. (I recall that Samantha offered her a particular stuffed animal one visit which she declined saying “I already have that color.”) We thank you for the gift of your care.

We wish to make special note of and convey our gratitude for the capable and loving care provided by Myla Templanza, house manager, and her staff (Monte, Michael, Augie and others) while my mother resided at Brady’s Butterfly Inn, and we acknowledge the special partnership with the Assisted Hospice team, in particular, Care Manager, Rosemary Lipman, RN.

We want also to make particular mention of and convey our profound gratitude for the care that was provided at Mariposa Valley, the intimate four-bed setting that, we believe, was divinely appointed for our mother in her final days on this earth. We acknowledge owner Beda Vazquez and administrator, Karina Ramirez Vazquez, and current care staff (Perla and Areli, Nora and Sabrina, and Lourdes) (we also wish to acknowledge and convey thanks to former staff).

Finally, we want to acknowledging the capable, but also the loving and respectful, care provided our mother by Buena Vista Hospice. We are grateful to all involved, but wish to make special mention of our mother’s Care Manager, Pam Hughes, RN. The stuffed animal, Curious George, a gift from Pam, took his duties quite seriously; he provided our mother immeasurable comfort while she was awake, and stood by and watched over her as she slept (sensitively positioned by care staff or by family depending upon who was nearby).

On behalf of our beloved mom, Wilma, and our family, we acknowledge and convey our profound gratitude for what was given in Love, for the Love that was given.

Truly you were from above, from the Father of Heavenly Lights, a Good - a Perfect - a True Gift; indeed, you have been, our Heavenly Light on Earth...

We are are profoundly and remain eternally grateful for you,

we will miss you terribly on this earth,

but we will love you Always,

and in this

there is “no shadow of turning;”

in this time,

we honor you.

Remembrance, Ventura Missionary Church, July 7, 2018, 11AM, reception to follow.

Interment, Santa Paula Cemetery, 2:00PM. *Procession route will travel from Ventura Missionary Church to Santa Paula Cemetery via Foothill Road (to Santa Paula Street).

A note regarding acknowledgements: for those who wish to convey an acknowledgement, you are invited to express such acknowledgement in whatever way feels most appropriate and meaningful for you.

Flowers may be sent to the Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.

Donations may be made in honor of our mother, Wilma, to: her home church for many years, Ventura Missionary Church; in the past, she has supported the Gideons ministry,

also has enjoyed Our Daily Bread publications (Our Daily Bread Ministries);

she has contributed to the Mexico ministry of Dr. Joel & Erica Smith (see Karen for details);

she has made financial contributions to the local Rescue Mission,

and has donated clothing and other items to the Coalition Thrift Store, Ventura;

she had a passion for learning and creativity.

You loved God, and you loved others; truly, you are Beloved of God, and by us.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 (KJV)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies... Her children arise up, and call her blessed...” Proverbs 31:10-28 (KJV)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... Philippians 3:1 (KJV)

“Love is eternal.” ~Wilma