Edith Bess Wooten Willman's Obituary
Edith Bess Wooten Willman
Edith Willman walked though the gates of Heaven on her 96th birthday, July 5, 2024. Edith was born on July 5, 1928, in Tyler Texas to Clem and Eloise Wooten. She graduated from Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College. She met and married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Bruce Willman on July 2, 1949. They shared 48 years of marriage until Bob’s death in 1997. Together they had two sons, Bruce and Steven.
Bob and Edith moved to Pearland in 1965, where she presided over two horses, a lamb, turkeys, rabbits, dogs and two unruly boys. They would welcome their foster daughter Marilyn McKeller soon after.
The family joined the Pearland First United Methodist church in 1965 where she and Bob were very active members, serving God and their community. “Miss Edith” worked for many years as a preschool teacher and was beloved by her students.
She and Bob were avid bird watchers and traveled all over the world. Their favorite birding destinations were New Zealand and Hawaii, which they visited several times. Edith loved spending time with her neighbors: Dorothy and Newt Fincher, Jo and Bob Holl and Diann and Jerrell Montgomery. Diann and her daughter Marla would accompany Edith, Bob, and their grandson Robert on yearly vacations.
Edith moved to Austin in 2022 to be nearer to family and was lovingly cared for by the caregivers at the Pavilion at Great Hills. She will be sorely missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, and her brother John Ward Wooten.
She is survived by her sons, Russell Bruce Willman (Lynn) of Austin, TX, Robert Steven Willman (Mary) of Gonzales, TX and foster daughter Marilyn Montano (Jesse) of Rowlett, TX: Grandchildren: Robert Willman (Maria), Stephanie Borrego (Sergio), Audrey Willman and Kate Baker; Great Grandchildren: Ethan Griffin, Kylie Rodriguez-Willman, Dylan Willman, Ava Willman, Rylie Willman, Emma Baker, Lily Bakey, Callum Painter, Aubree Borrego and Kaya Borrego; Sister-in-law Vida Wooten; Nephew: Cliff Wooten; Niece Krystal Stafford
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Pearland First United Methodist Church.
Services will be held at South Park Funeral Home on Monday, July 15, 2024. Visitation at 9am, Service at 10am with burial to follow at Memorial Oaks in Houston.
What’s your fondest memory of Edith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edith?
Share a story where Edith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edith you’ll never forget.
How did Edith make you smile?
