Wilda Marie Courliss stepped into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 15, 2013. She was born to Elmer and Freda (Hicks) Collins on November 17, 1921 on the family farm in Evergreen Township, Sanilac County and lived there until the family moved to Caro in 1936. She attended the Withey Country School and then went to Cass City High School for the ninth grade. Wilda then transferred to the Caro High School where she was graduated in 1938. The following year she attended the Tuscola County Normal School and was graduated in 1939. In 1941, she and Roy Courliss were united in marriage. He died in January 2000. Wilda laid aside her teacher’s hat in 1943 after their first boy was born. Seventeen years later, she picked it up again after taking care of four boys and one girl. She was graduated from Central Michigan University with her BA degree. She taught school for twenty-six years retiring in 1981. Wilda was a volunteer for many organizations including the Wixson Club, Caro Community Hospital Auxiliary, the Discipleship Family Bookstore for many years, Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, being president of most of these. She was a member of First Baptist Church since 1935 and their organist for them for over fifty years. Wilda is survived by her five children and their spouses, Don (Carol) of Tennessee, Bill (Sharon) of Union City, Susan (Dennis) Green of Millington, Richard (Doy) of North Carolina, and Reggie (Susan) of Elkton; 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Jon of Virginia, Mary Beth (Ricky) Alford of Virginia, Becky Courliss of Togo, Africa, Jackie (Dan) Conry of Ohio, Anne Courliss of Alanson, Jenny (Darren) Smith of Coldwater, Ben (Johelen) of North Carolina, Jeff (Reagan) of North Carolina, Jeremy (Meghann) of Arizona, Tim (Karen) of Egypt, and Angie (Norris) Ham of Montana; 14 great-grandchildren and many step grand- and great-grandchildren; two sisters, Thelma Smith of Wyoming and Dorothy Crawford of Gladwin; one brother, Milton Collins of Mason; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Clare and Asel Collins; one sister, Betty Hiser; as well as all of her aunts and uncles and most of her cousins. Wilda had been an avid Detroit Tiger fan since she started listening to the games on the radio in 1935. She was also a puzzle solver working on crosswords, Sudokus, and Cryptograms for many years. After she retired from teaching, she spent a great deal of time traveling. Her first airplane trip was to Sao Paulo, Brazil. She and her sister, Thelma, traveled to Africa a few times where her nephew was a missionary. She always said she liked to go places where she knew someone she could visit. She spent time touring Europe, Alaska, and one trip was to the Philippines, Korea and China. Wilda enjoyed a very fulfilling life and now she is spending eternity with her best friend, Jesus. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 19, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Caro with Rev. Ronald Wigand officiating. In keeping with Wilda’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 3-8 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Caro or to the Saginaw Rescue Mission. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.
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