Ethel Wise's Obituary
Ethel Wise, a resident of Bethesda Gardens in Kirkwood for the past eight years, passed away peacefully February 18, 2023, at the home of her daughter and son in law, Elizabeth and Ed Plants, Kirkwood, Missouri, under hospice care.
Ethel was born the third oldest of nine children in Bennington, Oklahoma on February 22, 1926, and passed just a few days short of her 97th birthday, the next to last survivor of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Whitby James Wise. They lived most of their lives and raised six daughters in Dallas, Texas.
Ethel retired from Southern Methodist University in 1997, after 25 years of serving the university community, much of those years as assistant registrar. After retirement she volunteered at Dallas Arboretum, serving on the Board of Volunteers, and with For the Love of the Lake also serving on the Board. After she moved to Kirkwood in 2015, she also volunteered briefly at The Magic House.
Ethel was always known and loved for her generous spirit and gift of hospitality. Her home was always open and a Sunday dinner with 40 people in attendance was not unusual. She loved to travel, and often would visit her daughters and grandchildren all around the country. She graciously included many friends as her “family,” and everyone who knew her loved her.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Teresa & Larry Borton (Michigan), Sheila & Brandy Dysart (Virginia), Loyda Warren (Texas), Laurie & Marc Schreiber (Texas), Elizabeth & Ed Plants (Kirkwood Missouri), and Alison Wise (Florida). She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren: James & Katie Borton (Eli, Naomi, and Isaiah), Matt & Linda Borton (Celeste and Sienna), Andrew & Tessa Dysart (James and Vera), Paul & Katie Dysart (Benjamin, Magnolia, Sophia and Ellenor), Anna Dysart, Jennifer & Mark Rothbauer, Olivia & Issac Zavala (Ivan), Gina Schreiber (Cole), Michelle Plants (Carter), Daniel Plants, Stephen & Bethany Plants, Esther Plants, Jonathan Plants and Christopher Plants.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 27, at 2 pm, in Dallas, Texas, at Restland Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations preferred to either Geyer Road Baptist Church www.geyerroad.com or For the Love of the Lake www.whiterocklake.org.
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