Funeral services for Wanda Rushing Morgan Leary, 84, of Lufkin, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Gipson Funeral Home with Father David M. Faulkner officiating. Interment will follow at Antioch Cemetery near Ratcliff.
Mrs. Leary was born April 17, 1939 in Sartas, Texas to Asa S. Rushing and Allie Irene Vaughan and died August 13, 2023. She was a wonderful artist in many ways. She did oil paintings, arranging flowers, sewing her daughters clothing from infancy to their wedding dresses and writing. Wanda’s writing was by accident. She wanted to tell of things she had found in the courthouse that was so dry and make them into something that people would really want to read about. Her family stories that she has written tied together her work in doing the genealogy on the Rushings’ and Marshalls’. One essay won her an award from the Southwest Author’s Association, payment for the story and it was published. Wanda was a member of two bridge groups in Lufkin and a Charter Member of P.E.O. Chapter IM of Lufkin as well as served as Vice President for year 2006/2007. She was a member of Anthony Smith Chapter NSDAR and served as treasurer. She was involved in the Angelina Arts Alliance and gave monetary support as enjoying the performances. She loved to learn and took a summer course at Trinity College, part of Oxford University in Oxford, England. She finished her training in Stephen’s Ministries in 2009 at FUMC.
Survivors are daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra Kay and Chuck Bidonde of Buffalo, Wyoming, Wanda Jean and Nicholas Damian of Pearland, Texas; son-in-law, David Loden Ainsworth of Katy, Texas; stepsons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David Leary and Dr. Kathryn Lindholm-Leary of Grant Pass, Oregon; Dr. Robert H. and Saskia Leary of Cary, N.C.; grandchildren, Joseph Bradshaw, Patrick and Rachel Bradshaw; David and Heather Mooneyham, Scott Taylor, Cullen and Griffin Ainsworth and Jessie Leary Hegwood and husband Dan Hegwood; 3 step-grandchildren, Diego Padilla, Michael and Erica Damian; and a number of great-grandchildren. A sister, Ima Burson; and sister-in-law, Judy Rushing. Many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; father of her children, Kenneth Morgan; husband, Robert F. Leary; grandson, Carter Ainsworth; brother, Bobby S. Rushing, June 23, 2015; much loved daughter, Tammy Morgan Ainsworth, April 6, 2016; four sisters, Ola Mae Beal, Aline Rushing, Helen Tippy, Fannie Strickland; three brothers, J.C., Bill, and Buck Rushing; brother-in-law, J.D. Burson; and nephew, Johnny Burson.
Wanda lived the best life she knew how and enjoyed life immensely. She loved fully and carried out her duty to the best of her ability. Most people whose life she touched came away feeling warmed. She had many friends, long standing ones from grade school to new ones.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
