Wilma L. Sears
Wilma L. Sears, 84, of Newton, died Tuesday (May 19, 2009)
at the Presbyterian Manor in Newton. Wilma was born on June 21, 1924, in
Stonewall, Okla., the daughter of Johnson and Lena Clayton Gift. They preceded
her in death. She was raised in the Chickasha, Okla., area and moved to Newton
as a teenager. Wilma married John Franklin Sears Sr., on Sept. 14, 1940, in
Newton. He died on Feb. 16, 2002. Wilma worked at several restaurants in the
Newton area and was a dietary aide for several years at Friendly Acres before
retiring.
A devout Christian, Wilma had been a member of Hall Chapel
where she held several offices, Second Baptist Missionary Church, and more
recently, All Nations Pentecostal Church. She was an avid reader and enjoyed
fishing.
Survivors include two sons, John F. Sears Jr. of Ellijay,
Ga., and David B. Sears of Kansas City, Kan.; two daughters, Barbara Hawthorne
of McKinney, Texas, and Virginia Sears of Newton; eight grandchildren; 13
great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Wilma also was preceded in death by four brothers, E.F.
Gift, Edward Gift, Hubert Gift and Roscoe Gift; three sisters, Bessie Clark,
Gladys Johnson and Donnie Landrum; and a grandson, Robert Enyard Jr.
Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, with family receiving friends from 1:30 to
3:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home.
Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
A memorial has been established with the Alzheimers &
Related Disorders Association. Contributions may be left at Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
