Voe Elizabeth Wilson, 1920-2020

Voe Elizabeth Wilson was born in Liberty, Texas, on Sept. 17, 1920, the fourth of six children of Ross Gerald Partlow and Voe Botkin Calhoon Partlow, all of them sixth-generation Texans. She was born in the front bedroom of the 1913 R.G. Partlow home on Grand Avenue, the same place where she died on Jan. 28, 2020.

Elizabeth — Lib as she was known in the family — was blessed with the sweet nature that she kept throughout her 99 years and brightened everyone she knew. She was baptized in the Liberty Methodist Church and went through school in Liberty, graduating from Liberty High when she was 16 years old as there were only eleven grades then. After graduating, she went to college, first at Southwestern University in Georgetown, then finishing at the University of Texas where she graduated with a degree in business administration.  After a brief stint working for Humble Oil in Houston, she met the love of her life, Howard Wilson, at the wedding of her older sister Helen, and they were married in the Liberty Methodist Church in 1943. After their marriage, she spent almost 40 years traveling with her husband as he pursued a career with Texaco — she liked to say they moved 15 times — from Chicago to Louisiana, New York to Houston, and even Trinidad, West Indies — until they retired to Houston in 1980. 

They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2003, and Howard passed away in 2005. After her husband’s death, she moved back to Liberty where she lived with her sister Helen until her death.  

During her life, as she and Howard continued to move across the country, she was a faithful member of several congregations, teaching Sunday School and being active in Women’s Circles.  In 1965 she was inducted into P.E.O., a service society which remained an important part of her life, and in 2015 she was honored as a 50-year P.E.O. “Golden Girl.” But throughout her life, family — both immediate and extended — took first place. She was always present for her husband and children, and as an energetic housekeeper and a talented and enthusiastic — “gourmet level” — cook, she did all in her power to “keep the home fires burning” and once a granddaughter arrived, they bonded immediately, and became inseparable. As a prolific letter writer, she did her part to keep the extended family connected as well, and was always grateful for the chance to visit siblings and cousins during her travels, making her a beloved family figure throughout her lifetime. 

Lib was proceeded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Robert Howard Wilson; brothers, Ross Gerald Partlow and Sam Partlow; sisters, Rose Marie Partlow, Geraldine Partlow Young and Helen Partlow Fairbrother. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanette of Liberty; son, Bob and his wife Dawn; granddaughter, Claire and her wife Haley; and great-granddaughter, Archer, all of Portland, Oregon; 11 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. As the last surviving child of R.G. and Voe Partlow, with her death a generation passes away, but she will be lovingly remembered by everyone who knew her.

The family would like to thank all of Lib’s wonderful and loving caregivers throughout the years. Your love and kindness will never be forgotten.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, in the chapel at Allison Funeral Service, 1101 N. Travis Liberty, Texas 77575. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at First United Methodist Church 539 Main Street, Liberty, Texas 77575 with Reverend Josh Hale officiating. Burial and committal will immediately follow at Liberty City Cemetery.

Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.allisonfuneralservice.com

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to First United Methodist Church in Liberty in Lib’s name or to a charity of your choice.