Emma Wands Dillard

Emma Wands Dillard, 92, of Anderson, passed away on April 8, 2025, at Community Hospital Anderson. She was born on June 12, 1932, in Havana, Cuba. Her journey took her from Cuba to Florida, to Arizona, to California, to Missouri, and finally, in her later years, she settled in Indiana.
Always a hard worker throughout her life, Emma worked with her husband on their farm in Lockwood as they raised their three children. Afterwards, she worked at O'Sullivan Industries and Thorco in Lamar, Missouri.
Even off the clock, she would never slow down. An avid gardener, she was the very definition of a green thumb. If she was not found in the garden, she was always on the move with a project or just taking a walk outside. Later in life, she accomplished more in a day than most do in two or three. When it became difficult to till her old garden beds, she simply had them raised and kept going without missing a beat. When the weather finally forced her indoors, Emma enjoyed reading and being surrounded by her family.
Emma is survived by her daughters, Cherry (Eric) Mathews and Pamela Salinas; grandchildren Jeremy Gray, Amanda (Billy) Plunkett, Emmy (Michael Yeater) Gray, Angela Gray, Charles (Shannon) Gray, and Jonathan Dillard; great-grandchildren Layla, Max, Caroline, Kinsley, Alexander, Justin, Noelle, Cain, Riley, and Miranda; her sister, Janet Edwards; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Chester Dillard; son, Michael Dillard; granddaughter, Elizabeth Dillard; great-grandson, Eli Gray; granddaughter-in-law, Kandi Gray; parents, Grant and Olive Wands; and siblings, Olive Bear, Rosella Niland, and Grant Wands II.
She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend to so many-truly a beautiful woman who will be missed dearly.
"She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her." Proverbs 3:15
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, plant something special, a tree or a flower, and cherish her memory, hour by hour.