Deene Wadsworth

Deene Thomas Wadsworth, 84 years of age, died the same way she was born, surrounded by her family. On her final day, the prayers and well wishes of friends and family wished her Godspeed to her final home. Following surgery earlier this summer and a difficult battle with cancer, Deene passed peacefully from this Earth in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 23, 2015. The daughter of Wade David and Vera Gladys Thomas, she was born February 22, 1931 in Jester, Texas, seventeen miles outside of Corsicana. Deene’s early childhood was spent on the family farm with her eleven brothers and sisters. As the oldest girl, she was a second Mother and Senior Drill Instructor to them all. Deene was predeceased by her parents Wade and Vera, by her husband William Marvin Wadsworth and by brothers James Harvey Thomas, Wade Lee Thomas, Ronald Gene Thomas, Carlos Franklin Thomas, Windol Royce Thomas and Jackie Dale Thomas. Deene and Bill were married 34 years until his passing in December, 1986. They made their home in Dallas, Texas, Palmyra, New Jersey, Columbus, Ohio and Warsaw, Indiana. Upon returning again to Dallas and following Bill’s death, Deene resided with her children in Ashburn, Virginia, Suwanee, Georgia, Houston and most recently in Midland. One of many of Deene’s endearing qualities was her unwavering support for the “underdog”. If you had some of life’s bad breaks and things were getting you down, Deene was on your side. She grew up during the Depression on an East Texas farm where the common payment to your doctor was in chickens. She never forgot where she came from. She had a heart for the less fortunate, not to enable but to give encouragement, a little monetary support if needed, and always a prayer. If your times were hard, Deene was your friend. A faithful member of Urban Park Assembly of God in Dallas for many years, her many friends there still miss her. Deene graduated from Kerens High School and moved to Dallas shortly thereafter. She worked for Southwestern Bell in Dallas before meeting and marrying Bill Wadsworth. She was a long time employee of Country Dinner Playhouse, Best Products and Samuels Jewelers, where she forged a long and lasting friendship with Nancy Braden. Deene retired in 2001. She is survived by her daughter DeAnna K. Moore (Ken) and granddaughter Amber Joy Moore, all of Midland, son Tracy David Wadsworth (Karen) and grandson Tanner William Wadsworth, all of Suwanee, Georgia and granddaughter Laine Amanda Collins (Dustin) of Oakwood, Georgia, sisters Rene Waller (Sonny) of Andrews, Lilla Beth “Bee” Allen of Austin, Edna Gwen Faulk , (Marshall) of Rosemark, Tennessee, brothers Don Earl Thomas of Lancaster, Texas and Larry Wayne Thomas of Mabank, Texas, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be held Friday, August 28th from 6 to 9 pm at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana. A Graveside Service will follow on Saturday, August 29th at 11 am at Campbell-Elrod Cemetery, led by Deene’s longtime pastor from Urban Park, Wayne Brashears. Pallbearers will be Gavin Allen, Alan Floyd, Larry Don Thomas, Tanner Wadsworth, Seth Waller and Harvey Waller. The family is thankful for the wonderful caregivers from Home Hospice of Midland, Crossland Care of Odessa and the Rev. Henry Pendergrass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasant Hills Children’s Home, Dallas, Texas or The Wounded Warriors Project. A life well lived, Rest in Peace.

Deene Wadsworth

February 22, 1931 - August 23, 2015