Anne Wishard

Anne Bernice Fuller Wishard

Anne Bernice Fuller Wishard, beloved "Mother, Auntie, and Nanna," passed gracefully into God's Kingdom on October 17, 2015.

Bernice, as she was lovingly called by family and friends, was born in Ladonia, Texas on July 31, 1910 to Clinton Elmer and Verna Belle Fuller. Her parents operated C.E. Fuller Grocery and were active in community affairs, her father serving a term as Mayor and both parents serving as elders and teachers in the Presbyterian Church. At a young age Bernice also began serving in the Church as a pianist. Her gift for playing music by ear was shared throughout the community and endeared her to many Ladonia citizens.

Bernice graduated from Ladonia High School and then attended Texas Women's University in Denton. She began teaching school in her hometown and finished her BS in Education in 1937 at East Texas State University now known as Texas A&M University Commerce. Bernice's brother James Elmer Fuller introduced her to his high school football coach, Henry Emmett Wishard. After a courtship of football games and school activities, the couple married in 1939 and moved to Weatherford and then Graham, enjoying the busy life of a coach and a teacher. Her husband's next job with Cullen and Boren Sporting Goods Company prompted a move to Dallas and Fort Worth area where their only child, Phyllis Anne, was born. The family was a member of Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth. Emmett passed away in 1970. Bernice continued living in Fort Worth, teaching at Bishop Elementary in Everman, where she was honored with a Lifetime membership from the Parent and Teacher Association there. Faith, family, education and music were the foundations of her life.

Bernice was active in the Fort Worth Women's Club, the Rejebian Book Club, the American Association of University Women, the Women of the Church of Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church, and the Fisher Sunday School Class. She especially enjoyed the "Monday morning" flower guild, delivering church flowers and doing "visitation" with cherished church friends.

In 2002 Bernice moved to Parks Methodist Retirement Center in Odessa, Texas where she continued her lifelong devotion to daughter Phyllis George and her family. She quickly made lovely friends at Parks and became a voracious reader of the Odessa American, following community issues and getting to know many Odessans. Bernice enjoyed 13 years in Odessa and loved being involved with her grandsons and great grandchildren. She joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in Odessa and was welcomed graciously by the congregation. Due to failing health, she was not able to attend church services regularly, but remained proud of her church and aware of church activities through bulletins and visits from church members.
Bernice is preceded in death by her parents, Clinton Elmer Fuller and Verna Belle Fuller; her husband, H.E. (Emmett) Wishard; brother, James E. Fuller and an infant brother David Edgar Fuller.

Survivors include: daughter Phyllis George and husband Mike, grandson Jay George and wife Courtney of Lantana; grandson Ryan George and wife Jennifer, grandson Phil George and wife Krista all of Odessa; four great grandsons Mykul, Connor, Landon and Emmett; four great granddaughters Elodie, Adalyn, Ellison, and Allie. Survivors also include sister-in-law Melba Fuller of Honey Grove, Texas; nephews and nieces, James and Judy Fuller and family of Honey Grove, Texas, Phil and Debbie Fuller and family of Frisco, Texas, Manette Stroud, Doug and Donna Stroud, Gerald and Peggy Wishard all of Honey Grove, Texas and Gladys Myers, Larry and Jennifer Myers of Dallas, Deborah Myers and Nickie Valdez, and Dr. John and Robyn Myers and family of San Antonio.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Sunset Funeral Home with Reverend Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at Ladonia Cemetery in Ladonia, TX.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign the guest registry at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, October 19, 2015
5:00 - 7:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Ladonia Cemetery
Ladonia, TX