Anna Laura Wilder

HOMER, LA: Anna Laura H. Wilder, 89, died, Thursday, November 24, 2016, at her residence with her family by her side. Funeral services were at 2:00 pm, Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church in Homer, Louisiana, with Reverend Jason Leonard, as the celebrant. Interment followed at Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Homer, Louisiana. The family received visitors, at First Presbyterian Church in the Family Hall, at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers were Lawson A. Wilder, III, John A.Wilder,III, Adam M. Wilder, James W. Branch, Tom Harkness, Steve Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers were Jerry Torbet, Bubba Hays, Scott Haynes, M.D., Melvin (Butch) Procell, D.D.S., Rob Lary, Scott Lary, and Bill Branch. Born in Minden, Louisiana, when she was in the seventh grade she moved to Homer, Louisiana, making a lifelong friend in Betty Gladney. She was a graduate of Homer High School, attended Centenary College, and graduated from Stephens College in St. Louis, Missouri. Anna Laura, also, later attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During her life, she worked at the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier on a walking route and, later, as a tax auditor for the State of Louisiana until retirement. She was appointed Chairman of the Board of the teaching hospital of Louisiana State University Medical Center of Shreveport. Finally, she assisted her husband and son with the building of Industrial Packaging. She was also a caretaker to both her mother, Mabel Harkness, and her mother-in-law (Lena May Wilder) during their later years. She was active in the Homer Garden Club and her weekly Bridge Club. Anna Laura will be remembered by her family and friends for many things, but most of all for her joie de vivre, music, optimistic outlook, a beautiful smile, and most of all her love of Christ. As a lifelong Christian and longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Homer, Anna Laura served her church in multivalent ways from working in the nursery, as Choir Director, and as President of the Women of the Church to areas of stewardship within the parish, Presbyterian and beyond. She assisted in the local founding of the Presbyterian Village of Homer and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas Harkness. Anna Laura is survived by her husband Lawson Atwood Wilder of 67 years, her three children, Laura Ann Wilder of Homer, Louisiana, Jill Wilder Busch (Dr. Lyndon John Busch) of Fort Worth, Texas, Lawson Atwood Wilder, Jr. (Tracie McIntosh Wilder) of Homer, Louisiana, her grandchildren: Lauren Wilder Busch Birthisel (Reverend Father Joseph Edward Birthisel) of Midlothian, Virginia; Anna Marie Busch Kalifa (Josselin Xavier Kalifa) of Paris, France; Jennifer Pacheco Mimms (Michael Mimms) of Fort Worth, Lawson Atwood Wilder, III of Homer, Louisiana; John Atwood Wilder, III, Bonnie Laura Wilder, Robin Elena Wilder, Adam McIntosh Wilder, and her great-grandchildren, Noah Joseph Birthisel, Mary Madeleine Birthisel, Daniel Abraham Birthisel, Anna Sophia Birthisel, Eilís St. John Birthisel, Basil Elias Moses Birthisel, Irena Theodora Birthisel, David Birthisel, Jackson Mimms, and Lily Mimms, Jack Valentin Kalifa, and Stella Julianna Kalifa. Her life was characterized by her faith and devotion to Her Lord, by her generosity and love to her family. She will be greatly missed and loved by those she loved. Memorials honoring Anna Laura, may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 618 North 2^nd Street, Homer, LA 71040 or to a charity of preference.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110

www.rose-neath.com