Sue W. Wolfard

Sue White Wolfard, 90, a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, received her "sweet release" from this life on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Friday at Gambrell Street Baptist Church, 1616 W. Gambrell St., Fort Worth. Interment: Private. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions in her name through Gambrell Street Baptist Church, 1616 W. Gambrell St., Fort Worth, Texas 76115. Born on April 18, 1921, in Charleston, W.Va., to Leftridge J. and Clara P. White, she seemed headed for riches and renown while attending the University of West Virginia in Morgantown and beginning her lifelong affiliation with the Chi Omega sisterhood. While wrestling with God for a number of years, she changed the trajectory of her young life and married Rodney B. Wolfard on Oct. 6, 1943. She later went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to prepare for her impending calling as a foreign missionary and set out for Brazil with her husband and three sons in 1953. Teaming with her husband, she labored tirelessly during 37 years in the South Brazil Mission of the Southern Baptist Convention. During that period, they lived and served together in Campinas, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Jose dos Campos, where her ministry focus was centered on spiritual mentorship of indigenous women seeking Christ-centered personal development, family harmonies and church-anchored commitments. Her greatest gift was her warm, indefatigable hospitality. Out of her home emanated the lure of the Gospel through its most irresistible medium. She was a passionate giver of that for which every seeker longs. Her elegance was an element of character, not of style, radiating from her zest-filled service to others. Eternity alone will disclose how effectively God was enabled to transform the lives of so many through the loving, caring, generous and gracious touch of her presence. She will be missed very much. "Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Rodney; her parents; her only sister, Margaret W. and husband, William H. Keyser; and two infant daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. Survivors: She is survived by her sons, Rodney and wife, Lorrie Wolfard; Stephen and wife, Cary Wolfard; and Dan Wolfard. She also leaves behind grandsons, Rodney and wife, Stevanna Wolfard, Nickolas and wife, Rachel Wolfard, William, Andrew and Scott; plus great-grandchildren, Faith, Jack and Luke Wolfard; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and colleagues.