Wilma N. Garrison, 88, died March 30, at Western Prairie Senior Living Memory Care in Ulysses.
She was born July 30, 1937, in Republic, Mo., to Guy and Inez (Dudley) O’Neal.
Wilma and her family lived in various places during her growing up years, including on a farm in western Kansas near Scott City. She enjoyed those years and had many good memories from that time.
The family moved to Ulysses in the early 1950s, and then in 1953 relocated to Monte Vista, Colo., before eventually returning to Ulysses, where Wilma graduated from Grant County Rural High School in 1955.
Wilma married Joe Garrison March 6, 1955, in Ulysses. She took great joy in her role as a wife, mother, and homemaker. Wilma was a constant presence at her children’s games and activities, always offering encouragement and support.
She enjoyed gardening and faithfully planted a garden each year, along with tending to her fruit trees. Wilma enjoyed cooking and spent many hours canning the fruits of her labor and baking for her family – meals and treats that were enjoyed daily and remembered fondly.
Wilma was an accomplished seamstress whose talent touched many in town. She handled alterations for all three local clothing stores as well as the dry cleaners. She helped create cherished memories for many young women by sewing their wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, each piece made with care and precision. In addition to her sewing, Wilma devoted many peaceful hours to quilting.
Wilma was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and Community Baptist Church in Ulysses. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she served her church community in many ways, including church secretary, helping in the nursery, and was active in various ladies’ groups and dedicated many years to teaching Sunday school. Wilma was also active with Gideon’s International Auxiliary.
Wilma is survived by her children: Donna and Tim Sullivan, Wichita, Kan., Jody and Patty Garrison, Paola, Kan., Joel Kent and Sue Garrison, Spokane, Wash., Dianne and Jimmy Williams, Eva, Okla., and Jeremy Garrison, Ulysses; sister, Vivian Bohannon, Cookeville, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wilma is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Garrison; parents, Guy and Inez; stepfather, Cecil Shepard; and sisters: Watheta Whitmore, Virginia Cannon and Wanda Mason.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Western Prairie for their loving care of Wilma.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m., Friday, April 17, at Garnand Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be Saturday, at 2 p.m., April 18, at Community Baptist Church, Ulysses, with Pastor Steve Swann, Jr. officiating.
Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Community Baptist Church Youth Group in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
