Julia Ann (Wilson) Creel

Julia Ann Wilson was born to Mackie Emma Collins and Robert Irvin Wilson in Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas on Tuesday, February 18, 1936, and was gathered to her people on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

As a young girl, “Julie” cherished growing up in Arlington, where she spent time with her two brothers at their maternal grandmother’s farm (located at what is now the intersection of Great Southwest Parkway and I-20) playing with cousins and friends. Many summer days were spent with her paternal grandmother in Hughes Springs, Cass County, Texas. The Christmas Season was celebrated with the extended Collins family at Aunt Mattie Mae’s home located near the intersection of what is now Center Street and Randol Mill Road.

An Honor Graduate of the Arlington High School (Go Colts!) Class of 1954, Julie was on the yearbook staff, participated in school plays and had a part in the senior musical. She cherished her days at AHS and the special friendships she forged with so many, including her dear friend, Tillie Burgin, Founder of Mission Arlington. Only last year, Julie and a group of fellow AHS students attended the 100th birthday party of their high school teacher, Miss Jane Ellis.

Julie attended Arlington Technical College and East Texas Teachers College, completing courses in Biology. As her children matured, she worked as a statistician and in marketing for Six Flags of America and, later, in finance/pricing at Bell Helicopter.

In the course of life, Julie met and married her true love, Compton L. Creel, of McKinney, Texas. Theirs was a never-ending love affair, manifest for all to observe in their kind interactions. A day did not end in the Creel household without Compton telling Julie – and Julie telling Compton: “I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow!” Together, they raised a family including Compton Kyle Creel (Patrice Conley), Compton Lee Creel II (Karyn Hilliard), Camille Creel Quinn (James), and Mischelle Creel Smoot (Brian). As a family, they enjoyed boating on Lake Arlington, setting sail off the Galveston coast and visiting the Creel relatives in McKinney and Wylie, Texas.

Julia Ann (as her brothers referred to her) was known for her abilities as a seamstress. She could envision, design, craft, recreate and reinvent anything out of fabric! Her grandchildren were teenagers before realizing that not everyone has a Grandma that they can call at the last minute to “whip up” a school costume as a zebra, a historical figure or for a school play – before Monday! Her creations were to-scale, anatomically correct and painstakingly crafted. She hand-made her granddaughters’ Christening dresses and sometimes even sewed them “real life” dresses to match their dolls’ dresses. She took great pleasure in all this and did so with love.

In addition to her uncanny knack for sewing and cooking, Julie enjoyed her hobby as aspiring author, even writing under her self-designated “nom de plume”. While too modest to mention it herself, let it be known she won First Place in UTD’s 1984 Romance Writing Contest.

Christmas at Grandma Julie’s included far too many presents for the grandchildren, an Adult Christmas Tree and a Grandchildren’s Christmas Tree – replete with a “spread” of turkey, ham, tamales and every side dish and fixin’ one might unreasonably expect. Then came her homemade pies: pumpkin, pecan, cherry (for Mischelle) and, later in life, chocolate (for her favorite son-in-law). There was always a red velvet cake for Camille.

This being Texas, Julie had the benefit of a Christian upbringing, being raised in a God-fearing Baptist home where she learned from her mother of Jesus’ love and of Old and New Testament miracles. Bible School each summer was augmented by attending week-long “Revivals” in Hughes Springs. Later in life, Julie and Compton embraced their Christian faith through joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, affiliated with the area congregation on Milby Road in Arlington. As time progressed, their church affiliation was with the Arlington First Ward of The Church, where they found fellowship among other Believers and forged lifelong friendships. Compton and Julie attended the Latter-day Saint Temple in Dallas together and, following Compton’s passing, Julie served for many years in the Dallas Temple.

Grandma Julie functioned as the central repository for the Wilson, Creel and Collins (yes, as in Collins Road) families. She was the point person for family history, genealogy, cousins lost and unlost, and over the years, opened her heart, home and kitchen to all. Years ago, Julie and Compton acquired their home on Woods Drive in order to care for her mother, Mackie, who already lived on that block. Julie rendered years of loving care to her mother until Mackie passed away in 1990. Julie’s cousin, Norma Jane Maples, of River Oaks (Houston), then took up residence in that same house across the street from Julie -- and with the help of Compton, Julie cared for “cousin Norma” until she passed away in 1996. Julie was no stranger to compassionate service; it was her very nature.

In addition to her four children, Julia Ann Wilson Creel is survived by four cherished granddaughters, Ashlye Boyse Battaglia (Phillip), Lindi Boyse, Madeline Smoot and Meredith Smoot, in addition to a special grandson, Gage Conley. Julie’s brother, Robert Lee Wilson, preceded her in death, while her younger brother, Michael Vernon Wilson (Suzanne), survives her.

Julie and Compton also opened their heart and home to their two “adopted sons”, John and Joseph Dardashti, of Laguna Niguel, California – and most significantly, to their much-beloved “third daughter” Petra Galaviz of Arlington – her tender mercy in caring for Julie exemplifies the Spirit of Christ. The family is grateful for these “bonus siblings” who added so much to our parents’ lives. Julie and Compton resided on Woods Drive in Arlington for the past forty years and were blessed with special neighbors, especially Ann Turney. Ann’s reconnaissance helped us keep Mom in her home for an extra season, for which Mom and the family are so grateful.

The family will receive loved ones from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, November 15, at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Street, Arlington, Texas. A brief graveside service and Interment will take place at Parkdale Cemetery, 701 S. Mary Street, Arlington, the following morning, Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. The family wishes to acknowledge the kind ways of those who so tenderly cared for our mother and grandmother; your service was a blessing to us all. We thank you once again.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wounded Warriors or a charity of your choice.

Vaya con Dios, Grandma -- now reunited with your one True Love.