Almost at the break of dawn on May 17 2023 Wilma Jean (Estes) Erbe heard her Heavenly Father say “Well done, my good and faithful servant….” and he hasn’t gotten a word in since!
Wilma Jean was born April 30,1921, to Ray (Arthur) and Hazel Estes. She graduated from Neodesha High School in 1939 and on July 4, 1940 she married Alfred Erbe and he preceded her in death November 2002. They had two children, Aprile and Tom.
Wilma Jean was a farm wife who kept herself busy with the daily chores, a large garden, of which she gave as much away as she canned, and field pick ups. She enjoyed digging in the dirt, taking care of her flowers and could often be seen in the ditches removing any weed within arms reach of her corn knife.
She was always willing to help someone in need, to offer a safe place for some of the neighborhood kids to play or just hang out, to welcome a new baby or to attend a funeral of someone she once new. She didn’t overthink it, she just showed up.
She attended Grace Baptist Church for many years, often coming into the parking lot with a slight lead foot. Whether you wanted to know or not, she never hesitated to tell you about her Jesus.
Right before she turned 95 years young, Wilma Jean moved to Morningstar Care Homes in Neodesha. She celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by all the nurses and her family. Wilma Jean was so loved by those who cared for her and she loved them back twice as much.
Wilma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister Marilyn, brothers Bob and Bill and their wives.
Wilma Jean is survived by her children, Tom and Aprile, daughter-in-law Janet, grandson Tom B. and granddaughter Cori and her husband Willie Johnson. She was Grandma Great to Julieona Erbe, Maddux Johnson, Krewe Johnson and Wyatt Erbe.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 25th with the family greeting friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Loran Fawcett Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Harrison Cemetery on Friday, May 26th at 10:00 am. Memorial contributions can be made in Wilma's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. To leave the family a special message of condolence please visit, www.loranfawcettfuneralhome.com.
