Wilma Wampler

Wilma Souder Wampler passed away on December 31, 2017 following a long illness. Wilma was born March 4, 1924 in Bergton, Virginia to Grover F. and Gertie Souder. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, Everett N. Wampler; her brothers, Dow, Glade, Allen, Lee and Clarence; and her sister Lola Chickering.
Wilma and Everett were married in 1942 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 1943, Everett moved the new family to Buffalo to work for Curtis-Wright Company building airplanes for the war effort. At war's end they returned to Virginia, but later moved to Orlando, Florida in 1951 where Everett began teaching at the new Edgewater High School.
In Orlando, Wilma worked as a medical receptionist at the Orlando Clinic while raising her family of two daughters, Betty and Mary Ann; and two sons, Tom and Jim. After retirement she did volunteer work with the hospital auxiliary as a "pink lady" at ORMC for many years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, and a member of a "women's circle" there for over 50 years.
Wilma loved gardening. She took pride in the fact that she provided the neighbors with many beautiful plants that she had rooted at home and then presented to them as gifts. Today, numerous examples of white dogwoods can be seen around the Lancaster Heights neighborhood that were rooted from Wilma's cuttings.
Everett taught French at Edgewater and loved French cuisine, as did all the children. And Wilma was an excellent cook…a perfect match. She instilled the love of cooking in her children, and that has been passed to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon moving from her Lancaster Heights residence of 60 years, Wilma's neighbors arranged a farewell party for her. A Citizen of Distinction Award was presented to her by the City of Orlando.
Wilma and Everett's top priority was to provides for their children's education and well-being. They consistently demonstrated the importance of Christian values including honesty, loyalty to family, and a strong work ethic.
Though Wilma moved from Virginia almost 67 years ago, she never lost sight of her roots in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. And those roots, shared by husband Everett, have in turn, been shared with us. She will be missed by all, but leaves many loving memories.
Wilma is survived by:
Daughter, Betty Wampler Harper, and husband, Ed, of Houston, TX, and their daughters; Cindy Harper Allen and husband, Keith, with their children Kyle, Reese and Libby of Pearland, TX; and Jennifer Harper Rowlands and husband, Alwyn, of London, U.K.
Son, Tom Wampler of Lynchburg, Virginia and wife, Brenda, with their daughter, Christi Macomber and husband, Duncan, with their children Asa, Isaac and Zohe of Doswell, VA; their son John Wampler and wife, Traci, of Richmond, VA, with sons Adam, Oscar, and Hank; their son David Wampler and wife Caitlin, and their three children, Jack, Cade and Tessa of Glen Allen, VA.
Daughter, Mary Ann Wampler Dunn of Tampa, FL, and her daughters, Nicole and Jenny; and son, Justin of Orlando, FL.
Son, Jim Wampler and wife, Priscilla, of Houston, TX and sons; Jared of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jake and wife, Pam, and their son, Owen, of Baltimore, MD; and, Dusty, of Houston, TX.

Service