Dr. Grace Elizabeth Wilson

Wilson, Dr. Grace Elizabeth Dr. Grace Elizabeth Wilson went to sleep Thursday night, April 23, 2009 and woke up in the presence of her Lord in the early hours of Friday morning, April 24, 2009. Grace was born in Waco, Texas on Valentine's Day in 1922. She received her BA degree from Baylor University in 1940 and received her MA degree there in 1941 serving as graduate assistant to Dr. A. J. Armstrong. She received her D.Ed. degree from University Of Virginia in 1955. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1941 and joined First Baptist Church of Dallas. She was proud to tell people that Dr. George W. Truett personally baptized her. She was also very proud to say that she had been an active member of First Baptist Church ever since, except for one year when she moved to Virginia to receive her doctorate. Grace was named a Woman of Distinction by the Baylor University Women's Council of Dallas. Her Masters Thesis was Robert Browning's Portraits, Photographs, and Other Likenesses, and Their Makers, of which there is a copy in the Truett Library. She also authored Composition Situations published by the National Council of Teachers of English in 1966. She was associated with Highland Park ISD from 1942 until 1956 and with Dallas ISD from 1956 until 1984. Grace was Director of Reading and Language Arts for DISD and chairman of the Textbook Committee for DISD. She served on the Textbook Committee of the Texas Education Agency and chaired a committee that evaluated content for library books for DISD. Grace was named Lifetime Member of the Sanctuary Choir in recognition of outstanding and extraordinary service to the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra. She loved to tell stories about her choir adventures and how she came to know soloist Willa Dorsey as a personal friend. Grace also worked on the staff of Truett Memorial Library. After her retirement from that position, she remained a faithful volunteer to the day she died. The last day she blessed the church staff with her presence was April 22, 2009 when she visited the Library, Music Office and toured the Criswell Center. Grace clipped news articles and obituaries for the library, previewed many of the books for suitability, and gave much advice, encouragement, and support to the library staff. Truett Library staff and volunteers will greatly miss her. Family and friends wish to express heartfelt thanks to Mary Loyd for providing excellent care and devotion to Grace for almost a decade. Preceded in death by Mother Sadye Grace Wilson, Father Robert Alexander Wilson, brother Robert Alexander Wilson II, and grandnephew Allan Wilson Reko. She is survived by Nephew Dr Robert Alexander Wilson III, married to Winifred Ann (Winkie) Wilson - Ventura, CA and Niece Molly Lou Wilson Reko, married to Allan Reko (Mendota Heights, MN). Grand Nieces: Dr. Robin Wilson - married to Dr. Eric Kindahl (Mount Airy, VA) and daughter Alexandra, LouAnne Drenckhahn - married to Dan Drenckhahn (Lakeville, MN), and children Christina Oberly, David, Rick, and Darla Drenckhahn. Grand Nephews: Robert Alexander Wilson IV (Alex) - married to Dawn Wilson - Ventura, CA, Robert Karl Reko - married to Laurie Reko - Prior Lake, MN and children Michael, Bryan, Patrick Galvin, Demi and Alexis Reko and Allan Wilson Reko (deceased) who was married to Sharon Reko and children Allan Michael Reko, Matthew Reko and Allan Michael's wife, Yana, and daughter Katri, who would be the greatgreat-grand niece. Visitation will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28th. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 29th at 3 p.m., in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Dallas, officiated by her beloved Pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. After becoming homebound, Grace faithfully listened to the church services and her Sunday School Class Bible lesson from the Criswell Class on KCBI every Sunday. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco on Thursday. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Dallas, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX 75201 to the Building Fund, Music Ministry or Truett Library.