Leta Joyce Wilson

Leta Joyce Wood Wilson, 64, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2015, in Mesquite, Texas. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life at New Hope Chapel in Sunnyvale on Friday, October 16 at 10:00 am. Leta was the oldest of three children born to Horace & Wanda Wood. The family lived on a farm near Sand Rural Station and attended New Home Baptist Church. She sang and took piano lessons but truly excelled at playing by ear. Leta attended Klondike High School where she was a part of their state championship basketball team, annual staff, Spanish club as well as a Beta club officer and Senior class Sergeant at Arms. In July 1969 she married the love of her life, Billy Joe Wilson at New Home Baptist Church and the couple moved from Lamesa to Andrews. They had three daughters: Patricia Ann, Amy Denise & Jennifer Leigh. The family attended Calvary Baptist Church. Leta devoted her life to taking care of her family. Everyone who entered the house felt at home. She was an amazing cook and volunteered for all the girls’ class parties. She loved sports of all kinds and was an ATTA certified judge who traveled around the world with Jennifer to tumbling & trampoline competitions. Her favorite teams were the Cowboys, Mavericks, Spurs and whatever teams her kids & grandkids were on. In 1995 Leta extended her caregiving by beginning a career at McNett Funeral Home where she worked until 2009. She loved helping people in need and her faith touched many lives. Upon moving to Gladewater she began assisting her in-laws, Willie & Tiny Wilson, by driving them to and from town for errands and medical visits, eventually becoming their primary caregiver. She and Billy moved to Mesquite in May to be closer to the grandkids and their activities. Leta was honest, loyal, resourceful, hardworking, vivacious, caring and a woman after God’s own heart. Leta is preceded in death by her parents Horace & Wanda Wood; brother Dale Wood; daughter Patricia Ann Wilson. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Billy Wilson of Mesquite; daughter Amy Wilson of Mesquite, daughter & son: Jennifer & Aaron Newton of Rockwall, adopted daughter Jamie Belknap of Odessa; grandchildren: Lexi Wilson of Leander, Megan & Barry Newton of Rockwall; sisters & brothers: Linda & Danny Moore of Lubbock, Lisa & Monte Maloney of Kingsland, Darrell Wilson of Colmesneil; adopted brother & sister: Don & Ellen Hoffman of Andrews; uncle & aunts: Mack & Donna Wood of Seminole, Bobbie Love of San Angelo, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews & friends.