Wilma Jewel Floyd

Wilma Jewel Floyd, wife, mother, homemaker, beloved grandmother and great-grandmother went to her heavenly home on January 28, 2021.  She was 91 years old and a resident of Meadow Lakes Retirement Community in North Richland Hills, Texas.

Wilma Jewel was born to Travis Douglas and Dora Emmaline Doyal on August 25, 1929 in Lamar County, Texas.  As the second of seven children, many of Wilma’s fondest memories and celebrated stories were of her mother, a legendary cook, and her daddy, a hardworking sharecropper, who raised their large family with plenty on the table to eat and even more love to go around.  Wilma was a self-described country girl, who grew up picking cotton, tending a few cows, pigs and chickens, riding horses and eating homegrown and canned food from their vegetable garden. While Wilma was quite proud of her country roots, she would certainly let others know that she “didn’t just fall off the turnip truck” when necessary.  She had a quick wit, loved to read and worked for her school newspaper as a young girl, where she developed beautiful penmanship and a fondness for the written word.

After graduating from Blossom High School in 1946, Wilma went to work in nearby Paris, Texas as a department store cashier and later married Thomas Ray Floyd of Paris in August of 1947.  The couple then moved to Lubbock for Thomas to continue his studies and earn his degree at Texas Tech.  Wilma gave birth to the couple’s eldest son, Thomas Ray Floyd, Jr. in 1948 and then their second son, Terry Lynn, in 1953 after moving back to Paris to be near extended family.  Eventually the couple would settle in the developing suburb of North Richland Hills, Texas and build their beloved red brick, ranch style home on Riviera Drive in 1959 to raise their family.

During these early years, Wilma kept their busy household running as Thomas traveled and built his business during the week.  She was among the founding members, and later officers, of the Snow Heights PTA at the brand-new elementary school just a block from their newly built home, where her sons, three grandchildren and even two great-grandchildren would eventually all attend.  She enjoyed the outdoors immensely, was an avid gardener and participated in a local Garden Club, as well as pursued Master Gardener courses.  Usually sporting shorts, Keds sneakers and a suntan, she could be found most seasons working on her large well-manicured front lawn, planting and pruning vegetable and flower gardens in the backyard or in the kitchen preparing one of her delicious “vegetable dinners” for her growing family.  Wilma also spent much of her leisure time with her husband entertaining family and friends at their lake house and fishing on Possum Kingdom Lake.  No matter where she resided, she always had an “open door” policy and a true gift for hospitality with her family and friends.  Wilma played a very active role in helping rear all of her grandchildren from infancy to adulthood, and one of her proudest accomplishments was living long enough to know her great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Gran” and made many of their own special memories with her.

Wilma was preceded in death by her mother, Dora; father, Travis; youngest son, Terry; husband, Thomas and several beloved brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her eldest son, Thomas, Jr. (Michele); Her former daughters-in-law, Jerri Benson (Rick) and Kathy Cook (Jack). Her grandchildren; Tracy Floyd Schraub (Justin), Erica Floyd Fisher (David), Travis Floyd and Kennion Rivers (Kristy).  Her great-grandchildren; Austin Schraub, Katherine Schraub, Ella Fisher, Jack Fisher, Michael Rivers and Kaleb Rivers. Her youngest sister; Betty Woolsey (Chuck) and a host of cherished sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

 A family graveside service will be held Monday, February 15, 2021 at 2:15 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.  As floral arrangements are not allowed at the cemetery, please consider making contributions in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ray Floyd, Sr. to the Dementia Society of America. (Memorials by mail to P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate)