Werdna I. Williford, age 89, of Brownwood died Saturday morning at the Oakridge Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Brownwood with burial to follow in the Mercer’s Gap Cemetery under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home of Early.  Visitation will be held from 6 – 8 PM on Monday at the funeral home.

She was born March 26, 1922 in Coryell County, Texas the daughter of the late Samuel Joseph and Nellie Gray Hodges Robertson.  She was married to O. D. Williford, Jr. in Comanche County on December 16, 1939.

She was a member of the Baptist Church.  She was a homemaker and had also worked in furniture manufacturing and at the Heart of Texas Children’s Home and at Peaceful Valley Children’s Home.  She also cooked for her husband’s and son’s harvesting crew during the harvest season.  She had been a resident of Brownwood since 2007 moving from Bangs where they lived since 1958.

In many ways Mrs. Williford was the product of her environment, as were so many who were children during the Great Depression Era.  She had a difficult time throwing away anything that might possibly meet a need later on.  She was a hard-working woman who never complained about hard times.  Her frugality enabled the “fish and loaves” at her disposable to go much further than people today might imagine.  However, her frugality was accompanied by a profound generosity.  All five of her children affirm that she was the most unselfish and self-sacrificing individual they have ever known short or the Lord she loved, served, and imitated.  She would often “squirrel away” small amounts of cash and hand it to the five kids so they would be able to buy some treat at the small store across the street from the school.  Mrs. Williford loved to cook, and to invite guests who enjoyed eating.  She and Mr. Williford were continually hosting their pastors for Sunday Lunch.  As her own children got older, she and Mr. Williford would invite the college students from the church to come to their home and savor her home cooking.

Mrs. Williford also had a humorous side to her personality, at times leaning toward the mischievous.  While the family (at that time two boys and two girls) was living in the Humble Pipeline Camp south of Iraan, Texas, she was a bit chagrined that the three oldest children declared they were big enough that they didn’t need her to accompany them on their trick or treat trek through the small, familiar camp community.  Reluctantly, she allowed them to set out on their own.  When the children had completed their round and were walking the short distance to their house, their mother, who had donned a white sheet and hidden behind a large tree near their house, slipped out from behind the tree and began to make ghostly sounds.  The three kids stopped in their tracks, frightened by the apparition.  The oldest, in a show of false bravado, said to the other two, “It’s just mother.”  But when the ghost began to run toward them, whooing at the top of her voice, all three turned and took to their heels.  Growing up with this mother was an adventure, a joy, and a blessing.  It is the unanimous opinion of all five children, “She was the best mother in the whole world.”  Thank you mother for loving us and making sure we all had every opportunity to know the Lord you so profoundly loved and faithfully served.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Dr. Don Williford and his wife Dr. Pam Williford of Abilene

Larry Williford and his wife Carol of Bangs, 3 Daughters, Brenda Williford of Bangs, Elizabeth Wells and husband Martin of Bangs, and Judy Williford-Heffner and husband Bill of Maryland, 10 grandchildren, Natalie Frost and husband John, Shane Williford and wife Angela, Kevin Baker, Larry Williford, Jr and his wife Holly, Melissa Storch and her husband Justin, Werdna Geron, Shauna Wells, Sally Licavoli and husband Mike, Jessie Wheat and husband Shane, and Molly Davis.  18 Great Grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 6 Brothers and 7 Sister.

Friends are encouraged to sign the guestbook at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.