Wilda Fay Ellison Jennings, at the age of 97, passed from this life into Eternity with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 13, 2016, in Llano, Texas. Wilda Fay was born on August 20, 1918, at the home of her parents in Fredonia, Mason County, Texas. She was the first-born of two daughters to W.C. "Jake" and Bess Woods Ellison.
Wilda Fay loved her Fredonia and Christian heritage. She recalled playing in the streets of a bustling Fredonia community as a child. Her grandparents had settled in the Blue Stretch/Wagram area in the 1870s, and when Wilda Fay was a young girl, Fredonia boasted of a blacksmith shop, doctor's office, drug store, cotton gin, the Slaughter Ellison General Merchandise store, and three churches. One of the three churches was the Methodist church in which Wilda Fay accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. As a young girl, she also attended week-long revivals at Barton Springs. A memorable event during Wilda Fay's teenage years was the day she jumped on the running boards of future president Lyndon B. Johnson's car when he came to visit relatives. In 1934, Wilda Fay graduated from Fredonia High School (11th grade). While living with relatives in Brady, she attended Brady High School and finished the 12th grade in 1935. Desiring to become a nurse, Wilda Fay attended one year of nursing school until the love of her life swept her off her feet.
On July 4, 1937, Thomas Jennings and Wilda Fay Ellison were married in Llano, Texas, at the Badu House. They then returned to Fredonia to live and raise a family. She and Thomas had three children, Mary Virginia, J.W., and Gary. During her years as a mother and homemaker, she not only took care of her family, but also enjoyed sewing and quilting with friends. Wilda Fay took pride in her yard. Of special interest to her was growing numerous varieties of iris and daylilies. Wilda Fay was a collector by nature searching for anything from purple bottles, stamps, Depression glass, and Beanie Babies to all the collectible quarters in recent years. She and Thomas enjoyed traveling, playing dominoes and bridge with many friends, and attending events in which their grandchildren were involved.
During her 85 years living in Fredonia, Wilda Fay experienced everything from seeing the first car in Fredonia, to electricity, and finally her own personal computer. She felt one of the hardest changes to accept was the closing of Fredonia's Methodist church. Being an ardent Methodist, she then attended the United Methodist Church in Mason and was an active member of the Emmaus Community. After the death of her husband Thomas, Wilda Fay moved to Mason for the next 10 years. The highlights of her week were playing Bingo and visiting with friends and family.
Wilda Fay is survived by two sons J.W. Jennings and wife Louise from Menard, Gary Jennings and wife Karen from Fredonia, and son-in-law Don Coleman of Houston. She has seven grandchildren including Pamela Courtney (Preston) Moore, James (Sheri) Jennings, Kelly (Nicole) Jennings, Moriah (Todd) Beyers, Heather (Matthew) Luensmann, Aaron (Jessica) Jennings, and Gabe Jennings. Wilda Fay has 13 great grand children, one great-great grandson, and two nieces, Linda Kay Hanson and Kathryn Yockstick, who she loved like daughters. Preceding her in death were her husband of 66 years, Thomas Jennings, her daughter Mary Virginia, her parents, and her dear sister Daisy.
A visitation with the family will be at the Mason Funeral Home on Sunday, May 15th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Wagram Cemetery on Monday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. with Suzanne Brantley officiating. Pallbearers will be James Jennings, Kelly Jennings, Aaron Jennings, Gabe Jennings, Patrick Weiss, and Forest Hanson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wagram Cemetery Working Fund, Mason Bank, P.O. Box 1789, Mason, Texas 76856, or a charity of your choice.