Wilma Montgomery

Wilma Montgomery

On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, Wilma Montgomery of Powell went to be with her Lord having spent 87 years building her legacy as a devoted wife, dedicated mother, respected friend and committed servant of God and his church.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Montgomery, who passed away March 6, 1997.  In passing, Wilma is survived by her four children and their wives – Gene and Ella Mae of Flower Mound, Texas, Tom and Anita of Payette, Idaho, Jon and Yvonne of Powell and Todd and Shawn of Graeagle, California.  Wilma was also blessed with 12 grand children, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.  Wilma has been a resident of Powell for over 50 years.

Wilma Jane Bacon was born January 16, 1925, to Leslie and Laura Bacon, the third of four girls, on a farm in Lincoln County Missouri.  She married Eugene William Montgomery on September 5, 1943, and they were married for over 53 years prior to Gene’s passing in 1997.  Wilma is also survived by one of her sisters, Ruth Willougby of O’Fallon, Missouri.

Gene and Wilma pulled up stakes and left all their family roots in Eastern Missouri in 1951 and moved to Powell.  Over the years they lived in Powell first as a partner in the South Side Grocery and later moving around the state while Gene worked on drilling rigs.  They lived in Powell several times thru the years finally buying their home on Avenue F in 1963 when Gene went to work as Fire Marshall and Wilma continued her role as homemaker raising her four sons.  Wilma’s strongest wish was fulfilled; she was able to live out her remaining years in her own home and remained strongly independent to the very end.  She was adamantly opposed to ever having to live with one of her kids and she did not want to have to move into any assisted living.  In addition to her fierce independence her other remarkable quality remained with her to the end – her sense of humor never faded.  She will truly be missed by her family and friends.