Wilma Katherine Wylie

Wilma Katherine Wylie, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great & great-great grandmother, spiritual mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024, at the age of 87 at her home in Arvada, Colorado. She was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her death. Affectionately known by those closest to her simply as Wilma, she was born on September 1, 1936, in Clayton, New Mexico, and was a beacon of love, devotion, generosity, kindness, and faith throughout her life.

 
Wilma's journey began at the family Ranch outside the modest town of Clayton, New Mexico. She loved growing up on the family Ranch, the only daughter in a family of 8. Growing up during the dust bowl era and in the frontier lifestyle, she learned the ethics of hard work, integrity, resourcefulness, loyalty, respect, justice, and humility. Wilma was a fierce protector of her family and many times over the years, she jumped into action to slay any rattlesnake that crossed their paths at the Ranch. Wilma came to Colorado to attend high school and graduated in 1955. Soon after graduating she met Robert Wylie and they were married. They were married for 65 years. Robert preceded her in death in 2021. She loved her home here in Colorado but the Ranch will always be the place she loved best, yet her heart and her legacy would extend far beyond its borders. 
    
    
Her life was characterized by her unwavering dedication to her family, which was her pride and joy. She raised five wonderful children and is survived by them in order of birth: Jim and his spouse Stacey Wylie, Bill and his spouse Charlotte Wylie, Cindy and her spouse Doug Wayne, Christy Edwards and Dan Wylie. Each of them, under her guidance, grew up to be capable, dedicated, kind, and resilient individuals. The love she had for her family was further multiplied as she welcomed her beloved grandchildren into the world—Jake, Jamie and Joe Wylie, Amber Wylie-Quinn, Taylor and Nicholas Edwards, Sarah Ruiz, and Sylvana Leon, Blaise, Kasha, Amiryn, and Tynan Strong. Each one of them was touched by Wilma's gentle spirit and passionate nature. She is survived by 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her brother Cecil Wagner, his wife Lu and many nieces and nephews and other extended family. 

Despite never having pursued a formal career, Wilma took immense pride in her role as a domestic engineer. She excelled in creating a warm and welcoming home, not just for her immediate family, but for all who crossed her threshold. She rarely missed any of her kids’ sporting or school events and was usually the loudest one on the sidelines, cheering on the team and her kids in each event they participated in. She also fought and advocated to improve the quality of education in the local school systems. 

If Wilma saw a situation that was not morally right, she never hesitated to raise the flag and fight for change. Her strong sense of righteousness and justice was finally satisfied when she came to learn that real change would only be possible through Jehovah’s Kingdom not through man’s efforts. When she learned that the kingdom that she had prayed for as a child was a government ruled by Jehovah with Jesus as its King and that it would end all of the suffering of mankind, her heart was filled with joy reflecting on that guarantee from Jehovah. Wilma's passion for life and her love for Jehovah and his son Jesus were evident in her 42 years of active service as a baptized witness of Jehovah. Her faith was her cornerstone, and she dedicated herself to Bible study and her Bible ministry, touching numerous lives with her kindness and spiritual insight.

Wilma's interests and hobbies painted the portrait of a woman who found joy and purpose in every aspect of life. She was an avid gardener whose blooms brought beauty to her surroundings and joy to her soul. Her love for traveling took her to places far and wide, where she embraced new experiences and cultures. In the kitchen, Wilma was known for her scrumptious cooking and baking—a talent that brought family and friends together around her table and where there were always leftovers. Moreover, her love for crafting, needlepoint, sewing, listening to music and playing the organ and piano, not only fulfilled her creative spirit but also left a legacy of handmade treasures and fond memories.

A true collector at heart, Wilma cherished the items she gathered over her lifetime, each with its own story and sentimental value. She also found purpose and joy in writing letters of encouragement, uplifting the spirits of those in need of kind words. Her shopping excursions were not simply about the purchases but about the camaraderie and the thrill of finding that perfect item for someone she loved.

Wilma will be remembered as a woman who embodied the essence of a passionate, gentle, and spirited soul. Her legacy is one of love, perseverance, generosity, endurance, service, and the simple yet profound joys of life. One of her favorite quotes is a poem by Edgar Albert Guest, “You Must Not Quit” and reads:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And when you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst, you must not quit.

The sentiment of this poem perfectly encapsulates the way Wilma lived her life particularly in these last 10-15 years when she battled many serious life-threatening medical conditions. Her family and friends can attest to this and by her positive attitude even in the face of adversity, she kept pushing forward and left an indelible impact on the hearts of those who knew her. (For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. Hebrews 10:36)

Though her physical presence will be profoundly missed, the lessons she taught, the love she shared, and the memories she created will continue to inspire and comfort her family and friends. She had a firm, solid Bible based hope for the resurrection in the near future to a paradise earth. At that time, she knew with all her heart that she will be re-united with all her loved ones who have fallen asleep in death before or after her. She fought hard to live to see the end of this system but we know Jehovah and Jesus will satisfy all her desires and dreams when they call her to rise up from her memorial tomb. A promise and hope that brings peace and comfort to all of her friends and family. (John 5: 28,29) We look forward to seeing Wilma again soon, young and healthy after her short vacation from us. Wilma’s spirit, like her influence, will forever be a guiding light in the lives of those she touched in this lifetime and in the generation of lives she will touch in the future. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Kenton Cemetery:
Attn: Cerita Walker
Kenton Cemetery
PO Box 54
Kenton, OK 73946

 

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