Our mother, Lillian, was born October 22, 1914 in Alma, Texas to Raymond J. and Lillie Mae Wilson. She grew up in Mart, Texas, and the whole family regularly attended the Baptist church, where Mother came to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Per Mother, her parents said she could carry on such a conversation and ask so many questions when she was two, she'd wear out one person and begin on another. When she was about nine, her father bought a black horse, Bonnie, of racehorse blood, that was too small for track racing. Mother rode her bareback from the farm to her Granny's house in town, stabled her in the barn and walked across the street to the school. Many times it was so cold, Granny had to break Mother's frozen fingers free of the icy reins. She told us how exciting it was to race Bonnie against other kids' horses. Right before Bonnie would gallop, Mother would feel Bonnie's muscles tighten under her, and they'd take off in the wind, leaving the others behind.
Her Grandpa Wilson owned a candy store in town, and he'd let the kids pick out some candy when they came to town, a big treat in the days when getting fresh fruit at Christmastime was a welcomed gift. Her Granny Ramsey was the prankster in the family, full of mischief, and could tell stories that held even the smallest grandkids still for hours.
After our mother and father married, they moved to Eden. There they owned and operated a movie theater they later sold to the Griffith Amusement Company. Daddy ran the projector and Mother sold popcorn or tickets. They turned that dirty, run-down theater into a shining spot everyone in town frequented.
After eleven years of marriage, Linda Elaine Wood was born, and there was much rejoicing. The Second World War came nine months later, and they were forced to leave the theater business behind and move to Houston to assist in the War effort. Five years later, after they returned to West Texas, daughter #2, Dainah Carol Wood, was born, and there was more rejoicing.
Mother and Daddy had a Westinghouse dealership in Menard, Texas. In 1953 they moved to Arlington, and Daddy worked for General Motors. Linda and I grew up in First Baptist Church-Arlington, where we came to know the Lord. This Christian heritage has now been passed down to our children and grandchildren.
Mother married Art Nelon in 1969, and he has been a wonderful stepfather. We appreciate him for helping us move, time after time, and for helping us fix things. He's quite a handyman, a carpenter, refinisher, painter, and gardener. I think he can repair just about anything. He's played with, loved and cared for our children, and he's loved and cared for Mother in such a self-sacrificing way as problems with her health increased the last few years.
What comes to mind when we daughters and grandchildren think of Mother? Holidays around the dining room table with food fit for a king. She was a fabulous cook and fantastic seamstress. The children and grandchildren remember how soft and smooth her face was and the delicate, sweet fragrance of her face and hair when we hugged her. We all enjoyed her animated reading of Uncle Remus stories, the drop biscuits in bacon grease she made in her little black, wrought iron skillet, marching around the house with her to 76 Trombones. The grandchildren remember fun times on the Slip and Slide, the big, backyard swing, watermelon on the picnic table, camping out in a tent in the backyard, swinging on the clothesline posts, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, playing dress-up in her clothes, tea parties on the living room coffee table, Mickey Bird, the family's chartreuse parakeet, baton twirling in the backyard and the beautiful doll clothes Mother made for the children and grandchildren. She made it clear to the kids and grandkids that she didn't want to be tickled. She said it wasn't funny! She was gentle, tender and loving, as beautiful and delicate as a China doll. She was fun and funny and loved being with her family more than anything else. In her latter years, she enjoyed an evening of eating at Spring Creek Barbeque followed by a couple of games of dominos.
A couple of times that last week with Mother, I climbed into her hospital bed, cuddled her, held both of her hands with both of my hands, kissed her and told her how much I loved her.
We thank God for His divine direction the last week of her life. Right after she died, I reflected on the prior week's events and wrote:
God arranged everything from timing to physical strength, from details to precious moments, from problems to providence and peace in all events and all relationships. It's been exhausting, but He's lifted me up on His Eagle Wings, given me spiritual moments with Mother incomparable to anything on this earth. His love has poured down on all of us and has been a beacon of light as we've followed His plan for Mother's journey to Heaven. I cannot think of anything good she was lacking on her journey. We've experienced the glory of God and are totally filled with awe at His timing, mercy and love.
When I was five, Mother taught me the Twenty-Third Psalm and had me recite it by heart beside her bed each night. Those very words returned to me as I sat beside her bed the last couple of days we had her:
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Amen
Written by Dainah Wood Chandler
Per Mother, her parents said she could carry on such a conversation and ask so many questions when she was two, she'd wear out one person and begin on another. When she was about nine, her father bought a black horse, Bonnie, of racehorse blood, that was too small for track racing. Mother rode her bareback from the farm to her Granny's house in town, stabled her in the barn and walked across the street to the school. Many times it was so cold, Granny had to break Mother's frozen fingers free of the icy reins. She told us how exciting it was to race Bonnie against other kids' horses. Right before Bonnie would gallop, Mother would feel Bonnie's muscles tighten under her, and they'd take off in the wind, leaving the others behind.
Her Grandpa Wilson owned a candy store in town, and he'd let the kids pick out some candy when they came to town, a big treat in the days when getting fresh fruit at Christmastime was a welcomed gift. Her Granny Ramsey was the prankster in the family, full of mischief, and could tell stories that held even the smallest grandkids still for hours.
After our mother and father married, they moved to Eden. There they owned and operated a movie theater they later sold to the Griffith Amusement Company. Daddy ran the projector and Mother sold popcorn or tickets. They turned that dirty, run-down theater into a shining spot everyone in town frequented.
After eleven years of marriage, Linda Elaine Wood was born, and there was much rejoicing. The Second World War came nine months later, and they were forced to leave the theater business behind and move to Houston to assist in the War effort. Five years later, after they returned to West Texas, daughter #2, Dainah Carol Wood, was born, and there was more rejoicing.
Mother and Daddy had a Westinghouse dealership in Menard, Texas. In 1953 they moved to Arlington, and Daddy worked for General Motors. Linda and I grew up in First Baptist Church-Arlington, where we came to know the Lord. This Christian heritage has now been passed down to our children and grandchildren.
Mother married Art Nelon in 1969, and he has been a wonderful stepfather. We appreciate him for helping us move, time after time, and for helping us fix things. He's quite a handyman, a carpenter, refinisher, painter, and gardener. I think he can repair just about anything. He's played with, loved and cared for our children, and he's loved and cared for Mother in such a self-sacrificing way as problems with her health increased the last few years.
What comes to mind when we daughters and grandchildren think of Mother? Holidays around the dining room table with food fit for a king. She was a fabulous cook and fantastic seamstress. The children and grandchildren remember how soft and smooth her face was and the delicate, sweet fragrance of her face and hair when we hugged her. We all enjoyed her animated reading of Uncle Remus stories, the drop biscuits in bacon grease she made in her little black, wrought iron skillet, marching around the house with her to 76 Trombones. The grandchildren remember fun times on the Slip and Slide, the big, backyard swing, watermelon on the picnic table, camping out in a tent in the backyard, swinging on the clothesline posts, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, playing dress-up in her clothes, tea parties on the living room coffee table, Mickey Bird, the family's chartreuse parakeet, baton twirling in the backyard and the beautiful doll clothes Mother made for the children and grandchildren. She made it clear to the kids and grandkids that she didn't want to be tickled. She said it wasn't funny! She was gentle, tender and loving, as beautiful and delicate as a China doll. She was fun and funny and loved being with her family more than anything else. In her latter years, she enjoyed an evening of eating at Spring Creek Barbeque followed by a couple of games of dominos.
A couple of times that last week with Mother, I climbed into her hospital bed, cuddled her, held both of her hands with both of my hands, kissed her and told her how much I loved her.
We thank God for His divine direction the last week of her life. Right after she died, I reflected on the prior week's events and wrote:
God arranged everything from timing to physical strength, from details to precious moments, from problems to providence and peace in all events and all relationships. It's been exhausting, but He's lifted me up on His Eagle Wings, given me spiritual moments with Mother incomparable to anything on this earth. His love has poured down on all of us and has been a beacon of light as we've followed His plan for Mother's journey to Heaven. I cannot think of anything good she was lacking on her journey. We've experienced the glory of God and are totally filled with awe at His timing, mercy and love.
When I was five, Mother taught me the Twenty-Third Psalm and had me recite it by heart beside her bed each night. Those very words returned to me as I sat beside her bed the last couple of days we had her:
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Amen
Written by Dainah Wood Chandler
Our mother, Lillian, was born October 22, 1914 in Alma, Texas to Raymond J. and Lillie Mae Wilson. She grew up in Mart, Texas, and the whole family regularly attended the Baptist church, where Mother came to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Per Mother, her parents said she could carry on such a conversation and ask so many questions when she was two, she'd wear out one person and begin on another. When she was about nine, her father bought a black horse, Bonnie, of racehorse blood, that was too small for track racing. Mother rode her bareback from the farm to her Granny's house in town, stabled her in the barn and walked across the street to the school. Many times it was so cold, Granny had to break Mother's frozen fingers free of the icy reins. She told us how exciting it was to race Bonnie against other kids' horses. Right before Bonnie would gallop, Mother would feel Bonnie's muscles tighten under her, and they'd take off in the wind, leaving the others behind.
Her Grandpa Wilson owned a candy store in town, and he'd let the kids pick out some candy when they came to town, a big treat in the days when getting fresh fruit at Christmastime was a welcomed gift. Her Granny Ramsey was the prankster in the family, full of mischief, and could tell stories that held even the smallest grandkids still for hours.
After our mother and father married, they moved to Eden. There they owned and operated a movie theater they later sold to the Griffith Amusement Company. Daddy ran the projector and Mother sold popcorn or tickets. They turned that dirty, run-down theater into a shining spot everyone in town frequented.
After eleven years of marriage, Linda Elaine Wood was born, and there was much rejoicing. The Second World War came nine months later, and they were forced to leave the theater business behind and move to Houston to assist in the War effort. Five years later, after they returned to West Texas, daughter #2, Dainah Carol Wood, was born, and there was more rejoicing.
Mother and Daddy had a Westinghouse dealership in Menard, Texas. In 1953 they moved to Arlington, and Daddy worked for General Motors. Linda and I grew up in First Baptist Church-Arlington, where we came to know the Lord. This Christian heritage has now been passed down to our children and grandchildren.
Mother married Art Nelon in 1969, and he has been a wonderful stepfather. We appreciate him for helping us move, time after time, and for helping us fix things. He's quite a handyman, a carpenter, refinisher, painter, and gardener. I think he can repair just about anything. He's played with, loved and cared for our children, and he's loved and cared for Mother in such a self-sacrificing way as problems with her health increased the last few years.
What comes to mind when we daughters and grandchildren think of Mother? Holidays around the dining room table with food fit for a king. She was a fabulous cook and fantastic seamstress. The children and grandchildren remember how soft and smooth her face was and the delicate, sweet fragrance of her face and hair when we hugged her. We all enjoyed her animated reading of Uncle Remus stories, the drop biscuits in bacon grease she made in her little black, wrought iron skillet, marching around the house with her to 76 Trombones. The grandchildren remember fun times on the Slip and Slide, the big, backyard swing, watermelon on the picnic table, camping out in a tent in the backyard, swinging on the clothesline posts, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, playing dress-up in her clothes, tea parties on the living room coffee table, Mickey Bird, the family's chartreuse parakeet, baton twirling in the backyard and the beautiful doll clothes Mother made for the children and grandchildren. She made it clear to the kids and grandkids that she didn't want to be tickled. She said it wasn't funny! She was gentle, tender and loving, as beautiful and delicate as a China doll. She was fun and funny and loved being with her family more than anything else. In her latter years, she enjoyed an evening of eating at Spring Creek Barbeque followed by a couple of games of dominos.
A couple of times that last week with Mother, I climbed into her hospital bed, cuddled her, held both of her hands with both of my hands, kissed her and told her how much I loved her.
We thank God for His divine direction the last week of her life. Right after she died, I reflected on the prior week's events and wrote:
God arranged everything from timing to physical strength, from details to precious moments, from problems to providence and peace in all events and all relationships. It's been exhausting, but He's lifted me up on His Eagle Wings, given me spiritual moments with Mother incomparable to anything on this earth. His love has poured down on all of us and has been a beacon of light as we've followed His plan for Mother's journey to Heaven. I cannot think of anything good she was lacking on her journey. We've experienced the glory of God and are totally filled with awe at His timing, mercy and love.
When I was five, Mother taught me the Twenty-Third Psalm and had me recite it by heart beside her bed each night. Those very words returned to me as I sat beside her bed the last couple of days we had her:
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Amen
Written by Dainah Wood Chandler
Per Mother, her parents said she could carry on such a conversation and ask so many questions when she was two, she'd wear out one person and begin on another. When she was about nine, her father bought a black horse, Bonnie, of racehorse blood, that was too small for track racing. Mother rode her bareback from the farm to her Granny's house in town, stabled her in the barn and walked across the street to the school. Many times it was so cold, Granny had to break Mother's frozen fingers free of the icy reins. She told us how exciting it was to race Bonnie against other kids' horses. Right before Bonnie would gallop, Mother would feel Bonnie's muscles tighten under her, and they'd take off in the wind, leaving the others behind.
Her Grandpa Wilson owned a candy store in town, and he'd let the kids pick out some candy when they came to town, a big treat in the days when getting fresh fruit at Christmastime was a welcomed gift. Her Granny Ramsey was the prankster in the family, full of mischief, and could tell stories that held even the smallest grandkids still for hours.
After our mother and father married, they moved to Eden. There they owned and operated a movie theater they later sold to the Griffith Amusement Company. Daddy ran the projector and Mother sold popcorn or tickets. They turned that dirty, run-down theater into a shining spot everyone in town frequented.
After eleven years of marriage, Linda Elaine Wood was born, and there was much rejoicing. The Second World War came nine months later, and they were forced to leave the theater business behind and move to Houston to assist in the War effort. Five years later, after they returned to West Texas, daughter #2, Dainah Carol Wood, was born, and there was more rejoicing.
Mother and Daddy had a Westinghouse dealership in Menard, Texas. In 1953 they moved to Arlington, and Daddy worked for General Motors. Linda and I grew up in First Baptist Church-Arlington, where we came to know the Lord. This Christian heritage has now been passed down to our children and grandchildren.
Mother married Art Nelon in 1969, and he has been a wonderful stepfather. We appreciate him for helping us move, time after time, and for helping us fix things. He's quite a handyman, a carpenter, refinisher, painter, and gardener. I think he can repair just about anything. He's played with, loved and cared for our children, and he's loved and cared for Mother in such a self-sacrificing way as problems with her health increased the last few years.
What comes to mind when we daughters and grandchildren think of Mother? Holidays around the dining room table with food fit for a king. She was a fabulous cook and fantastic seamstress. The children and grandchildren remember how soft and smooth her face was and the delicate, sweet fragrance of her face and hair when we hugged her. We all enjoyed her animated reading of Uncle Remus stories, the drop biscuits in bacon grease she made in her little black, wrought iron skillet, marching around the house with her to 76 Trombones. The grandchildren remember fun times on the Slip and Slide, the big, backyard swing, watermelon on the picnic table, camping out in a tent in the backyard, swinging on the clothesline posts, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, playing dress-up in her clothes, tea parties on the living room coffee table, Mickey Bird, the family's chartreuse parakeet, baton twirling in the backyard and the beautiful doll clothes Mother made for the children and grandchildren. She made it clear to the kids and grandkids that she didn't want to be tickled. She said it wasn't funny! She was gentle, tender and loving, as beautiful and delicate as a China doll. She was fun and funny and loved being with her family more than anything else. In her latter years, she enjoyed an evening of eating at Spring Creek Barbeque followed by a couple of games of dominos.
A couple of times that last week with Mother, I climbed into her hospital bed, cuddled her, held both of her hands with both of my hands, kissed her and told her how much I loved her.
We thank God for His divine direction the last week of her life. Right after she died, I reflected on the prior week's events and wrote:
God arranged everything from timing to physical strength, from details to precious moments, from problems to providence and peace in all events and all relationships. It's been exhausting, but He's lifted me up on His Eagle Wings, given me spiritual moments with Mother incomparable to anything on this earth. His love has poured down on all of us and has been a beacon of light as we've followed His plan for Mother's journey to Heaven. I cannot think of anything good she was lacking on her journey. We've experienced the glory of God and are totally filled with awe at His timing, mercy and love.
When I was five, Mother taught me the Twenty-Third Psalm and had me recite it by heart beside her bed each night. Those very words returned to me as I sat beside her bed the last couple of days we had her:
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Amen
Written by Dainah Wood Chandler
