Linda "Gail" Wilfred

Gail was born in Dallas, TX on March 2, 1947. She grew up in Texas, and had wonderful childhood memories of her family especially spending time with her grandparents.

In the middle of her senior year of high school her family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. She spoke proudly of her Tri Delta sorority days at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and was an Elementary School Teacher for a decade, achieving Outstanding Educator in Lake Charles.

Gail treasured her time traveling through Europe by train, and one of her life’s highlights was college summers living in Tehran.~ “It was so beautiful, modern 70’s, Persian rugs, the ambiance.” She kept the city, the culture, and it’s people close to her always.

As an adult, she gave her life to Christ and never stopped strengthening her faith. She was a dedicated student of the Bible, an avid reader of Christian books and devotionals, a prayer warrior, and a lover of praise and worship music. She embodied the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. At her core she was a woman after God’s own heart.

She was an incredibly devoted wife to her husband Mancil for 41 years where they resided in Jones Creek, Texas with their four children. She was the bake sale mom, the soccer mom, the birthday cake maker and costume sewing mom, the county Fair Queen mom, the church youth group mom, the carpool mom, and the Girl Scout mom.

Her four children and three grandchildren (who knew her as GG) meant everything to her. She intently cared for her children, immensely adored her grandchildren, and immeasurably loved her sisters.

What an amazing friend she was! She held her friendships in the highest regard with devotion and loyalty. She was an extrovert who loved to socialize. She brought positive, fun, and contagious energy to those around her.

Gail’s heart was designed to serve. She gave her time teaching Sunday school, volunteering on church committees, stocking the local food pantry, and ringing the Salvation Army bell. She served at Christian Women’s Club for decades, and after her children were grown she returned to teaching at Brazosport Community College for several years.

Her monetary generosity was widespread to many, including Willow Church, World Vision, Alzheimer’s Association, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The American Heart Association, Texas Port Ministry of Freeport, Clute Food Pantry, Pregnancy Help Center, Samaritan’s Purse, KSBJ Radio, Christian Broadcasting Network, and to missionaries around the world.

Gail’s favorite things included reading, having lunch with a friend, making people laugh, telling stories, watching political news and Lifetime movies, cooking and eating good food, having fun with her kids and grandkids, and encouraging someone with a gift, compliment, or prayer.

Throughout her life, people were drawn to her genuine heart. She saw and heard them, met them where they were and cared about them, only wanting the best for them. She leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, humor, love for Christ, and love for others.

Gail lived a full and beautiful life, and we are all better for having known her. She was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her sister Judy Kenney, children Shannon Weilnau (Ricky), Lauren Allen (Preston), Karen Sasser (Jonathan), Mancil Glenn Wilfred Jr., and grandchildren Charlotte, Connor, and Luke. She was preceded in death by her parents J.B. and Betty Harrison, twin sister Kay Smith, and husband Mancil Wilfred.

Donations can be made in Gail’s memory to Willow Church: https://willowchurch.com/give-online/ or to World Vision: https://www.worldvision.org/donate

To honor and celebrate Gail’s beautiful life, a memorial and reception will be held.

~ Memorial Service: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Willow Church (200 Willow Dr., Lake Jackson, TX 77566) at 5:00pm.

~ Celebration of Life Reception: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Lake Jackson Civic Center’s Ballroom (333 TX-332, Lake Jackson, TX 77566) at 6:30pm.