Dates
On July 20, 2024, La Rita Gayle Timmons Wilder lovingly known as “Honey”, “Sweet Darling” or “Nana” transferred her membership from her earthly home to her heavenly home surrounded by her family. La Rita was born in Bronte, Texas on October 29, 1954, to Wilma Nell Hester Timmons and Charles Tilman Timmons. She married Fred Wilder on January 16, 1970, in Bronte, Texas. Out of this marriage was born Amy Leanne, Stephanie Elaina, and Jody Ray Wilder.
La Rita attended Bronte High School and worked for GTE/Verizon retiring in October 2008. She began as a telephone operator and worked in many areas of the phone company throughout her career. She was a member of the Concho Valley Telephone Pioneers, past member of Beta Sigma Phi, currently served on the Literacy Committee for the Concho Valley Republican Women. In 2023, she represented CVRW at the National Federation of Republican Women in Oklahoma City and again at the Texas Federation of Republican Women in Irving as a voting delegate. She was a believer in Jesus Christ being baptized into the faith as a teenager and later joined the Methodist Church. Rita was witty, generous, a great cook, a whiz at crossword puzzles and word games, did beautiful needlework, and was a great listener. She loved all “Babies” and delighted in any new addition to the family.
She is survived by her husband, Fred, daughters, Amy Leanne Turner and husband Chris of Corpus Christi, TX, Stephanie Elaina Wilder of Shawnee, OK, and son, Jody Ray Wilder and special friends, Lauren and Lukas Bartolick of Colorado City, TX. Grandchildren: Katelyn Nicole Turner, Zachary Logan Turner, Zane Christopher Turner, Christin Faith Williams, Alexandra Williams. Great Grandchildren: Beaudoin (Beau) Williams, and Dahlia Gomez.
Sister and Brother-in-Law: La Queta and Harold Shelburne, Stepbrothers & Sisters: Tina Brownfield (Dan), Mike (Mary Anne) Bowers, Ronnie (Cindy) Gann, and Andy (Elvia) Gann. Aunts & Uncles: Jean Mc Swain, Johnnie (Tom) Luttrell. Nieces & Nephews: Mercyla (Brad) Fly, Mesha (Allen) Millsap, Meagan (Tim) Hunnicutt, Great Nieces & Nephews: Abbie (Weston) McIntire, Amory Fly, Kemper Fly, Mackenzie Millsap, and Sydney Millsap.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma Nell “Mickey” & Johnny Gann, Charles & Margaret Timmons, Daisy & Dub Sims, Rickman Hester, Twala & B.G. Timmons. Son In Law: Andrew Williams., and Special Uncle: Ross McSwain.
Pallbearers: Osvaldo Gomez Bucio, Brad Fly, Robert “Rob” Garcia, Timothy Hunnicutt, Allen Millsap & Craig Turner.
A special “Thank You” to all of the Doctors, Nurses on 5 NORTH, 4 South, Surgical Team and ICU Nurses & Doctors at Shannon Hospital that assisted in the care provided to La Rita over the past two weeks. Finally, the love and gentle treatment from Hospice of San Angelo during the last hours of her life were so very touching to her entire family. A huge Thank You to Dr. Boyd for giving the last ounce of effort to try to save la Rita. God’s Richest Blessings on All of You!
The family requests that those attending please dress casually in honor of La Rita, and that any donations be made to your favorite charities.
Visitation will be Friday, from 5-7 at Harper’s Funeral Home, and Services will be Saturday, July 27th at 10:00 AM at Harper’s Funeral Home with internment in Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo, TX.