Jerri Woolf

 

Ethel Geraldine “Jerri” Willis Woolf born January 23, 1931, in Brawley, California, left her earthly home on September 9, 2023, in Uvalde, Texas, to join her husband Milton in their heavenly home while family and friends were by her side.

Jerri moved to Uvalde accompanied by her mother Irene Willis Stanfield and her siblings, June Stevens, Mary Galloway, Leona Swafford, Lois Caraway and Jimmy Willis, from California at the age of eight years. She was born to Irene Smart Willis and Gerald R. Willis. She attended Uvalde high school until the age of 16 years when she married the love of her life Milton Woolf who was a World War II Veteran attending the newly formed Southwest Texas Junior College.

In her lifetime she saw many firsts, including: the first Donald Duck cartoon being shown, air conditioning invented along with the Schick electric razor and the aerosol can. The first jet engine, the ball pint pen and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were released. She also saw the first man to land on the moon and the cellular phone invented, while all of these plus much, much more comprised her life above all else she had a deep heart for service to others.

Her heart for service was demonstrated by her more than 70-year membership to the Order of Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron and her support to the Order of the Rainbow for Girls as Mother Advisor for many years, member of the Advisory Board. For her service to this organization, she earned the Grand Cross of Colors, but more than that she touched the lives of many young ladies in this community. She and her husband were charter members of Baptist Temple Church, Uvalde, Texas. As a part of that church, she taught and worked in various committees of the church, assisted in teaching crafts in Vacation Bible School, taught in Girls Auxiliary, served in the WMU, and much more. Together she and her husband Milton organized the Honeybee Square Dancers and were part of camping squares group that traveled across the United States promoting Uvalde, Texas. She served president of the Honey Bees and was a square Angel. She also enjoyed the monthly luncheons with the Red Hatters organization.  She never saw someone with a need that she didn’t try to reach out and help. There was a listening ear, a hug, a smile, a seat at the table and words of encouragement.

Her happy place was to be outside tending to her yard, flowers and garden. Before moving from the South Park Street home in 1968 she had a huge rose garden which drew people from all around to view them. While she was proud of all this, she was most proud of her family.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Milton Woolf, mother Irene Stanfield, father Gerald Willis, stepfather Roy Stanfield, sisters, Leona Swafford, Lois Caraway, Mary Gallaway and brother Jimmy Willis and daughter in law Julie Heard Woolf.

She is survived by her daughter JoBeth and son in law Jerome Warren, Uvalde, Texas, son Roger Woolf, grandchildren, Brian Woolf, Uvalde, Texas, Jason and Lauren Woolf, Selma, Texas, David and Brandy  Warren, Lexington, Texas, Cari Ann and Cory Dugan, Arlington, Texas. Great Grandchildren, Evan Woolf, Marilyn Woolf, Cullen Woolf, Idalia Warren, Jeremiah Warren, Elijah Dugan, Grace Dugan, Everett Dugan, Ava Dugan and Rose Dugan. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephew, and friends.

Pall bearers are David Warren, Jeremiah Warren, Elijah Dugan, Brian Woolf, Evan Woolf and Lupe Luna.

Funeral Service will be Thursday Sept. 14th at 10 am at Baptist Temple Church in Uvalde. Interment Thursday Sept. 14th at 3 pm at Masonic Cemetery in Del Rio.

Memorial Donations may be made to Baptist Temple Church 620 E Main St. Uvalde, Texas 78801 or Hondo Chapter 404 Order of the Eastern Star, Hondo, Texas 78861