Wilda Jean (Pilgreen) Sanders
Wilda Jean (Pilgreen) Sanders has been reunited with her love, her grand sailor of eternal joy of Heaven in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ in whom she placed her faith and hope. Wilda was a loved Sister, Aunt, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and faithful servant of her Savior Jesus Christ. Wilda Sanders, age 92 went to be with the Lord on Friday May 29, 2020, in Bryan, Texas.
She was born at the Joseph Campbell home near Salona, Texas, near Bowie, where her parents W.J. and Leola Lois Campbell Pilgreen were staying with her grandfather, Charles Joseph Campbell, sewing, and gardening during the Great Depression. She played basketball, softball, and was a cheerleader in Irving Consolidated High School where she graduated.
Wilda and her sweetheart, Clarence Franklin Sanders, wrote hundreds of long letters to each other while he served in the Navy in World War II. They were courageous, hard working members of the greatest generation living through the great depression and World War II. After the war, Clarence arranged for Wilda to take the crowded trains to Norfolk, Virginia so they could marry and be together until Clarence was discharged from the Navy. They married in South Mills, North Carolina on December 18, 1945, with dreams of having a Christian family and life-time home together. They achieved these dreams and much more, by God's grace. They served in churches where they lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Littleton, Colorado; Waco, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Conroe, Texas. Wilda and Clarence built churches for the glory of God by volunteering with the Texas Baptist Men's Retired Church Builders for more than 9 years. She served her church as Women's Missionary Director and other positions as a young woman. Most recently her membership has been in First Baptist Church of Bryan, Texas. Wilda enjoyed boating, traveling, small plane flying, entertaining with Clarence, and especially family activities.
Wilda is survived by three children, Nancy (Johnny) Miller, Mike (Cindy) Sanders, and Tricia (Tony) Boyd; seven grandchildren, Andrea (Coley) Gatlin, Matthew Kit Miller, Holly (Cody) Avants, Scott (Michelle) Sanders, Kristin (David) Howell, Joseph (Billie) Boyd and Whitney (Shane) Darville; 19 great-grandchildren, Caroline Gatlin, Claire Gatlin, Brandt Gatlin, Nathanael Gatlin, Tatum Avants, Kenadie Avants, Jett Avants, Riley Sanders, Aiden Sanders, Emma Howell, Catherine Howell, William Howell, Carson Howell, Blair Boyd, Joseph Boyd, Michael Darville, Matthew Darville, Myles Darville, and Mason Darville. Also surviving are sisters Billie Armstrong, Foncille (Ken) Ferriera; brother Ralph (Judy) Pilgreen; sister-in-laws Mary Pilgreen, Carol Pilgreen, Pat Sonnevelt, Georgia Sanders, Betty (Royce) Echols; and many nieces & nephews. She is preceded to heaven by husband Clarence F. Sanders, parents, three brothers, Spencer, Jerry and Terry Pilgreen, sister Patsy Dell Pilgreen, and brother-in-law Troy Sanders. One of Wilda's favorite Bible verses is "Trust in the Lordwith all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths."
The family asks that because of the limited seating capacity of the church that local friends please come to the graveside service at 1:30, Saturday, June 6, 2020, at the Waurika Cemetery.