Della Elaine Wooley

Della Elaine Wooley passed away December 5, 2003 at Providence Hospital, Waco, Texas. Services will be at 10a.m. Monday, December 8th at Western Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Patterson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be from 6 to 8p.m. Sunday December 7th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6106 Bosque Blvd. Della was the only child born to Paul and Monia Richard on March 3rd, 1924 in East St. Louis, IL. She married the love of her life, Lincoln Wooley, on Oct. 8, 1942. Together they celebrated 56 years of marriage. They moved to Waco after serving 30 years in the Air Force. During their time of military service they lived in St. Louis, San Antonio, Okinawa, Japan, and Sumter, SC. Della was a bookkeeper and librarian for SMI until retiring in the late 1980’s. Della committed most of her retirement years to the Providence Hospital Auxiliary. She was acting president for two years and a dedicated part of the executive board for many years. She was a member of McLennan Chapter No.639 Order of the Eastern Star and attended Western Heights Baptist Church. She also served on the board of AARP. Della and Lincoln were members of the Cabaret and Stardust dance clubs. She enjoyed dancing, traveling and being with her family. Della’s beauty and vivacity will live on through the lives of all she touched. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents. Survivors include her only daughter and son-in-law, Sharon Kay and Doyle Downs, of Waco: grandsons, Richard Downs and wife Sarah of Waco, Lane Downs and wife Michelle of Bellmead, Braden Downs and wife Carrie of Axtell: granddaughter Aimeé and husband Bo Winneberger of Waco; great-grandchildren Lincoln and Allaire Downs of Waco, Peyton and Summer Downs of Axtell. Pallbearers will be Providence Auxiliary Volunteers. Memorials may be made to Providence Auxiliary.