Mrs. Elsie Lee Hays Wilder

Funeral services for Mrs. Elsie Lee Hays Wilder, 96, of Minden, will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Minden Baptist Church with Dr. Matt Pitts and Rev. Doc Crow officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, November 13, at the church. Elsie went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2023. She was born May 25, 1927. She was a lifelong resident of Rusk County and graduated from Minden High School in 1944. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, J. W. Wilder. They were married on November 20, 1948. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Lola Hays, a granddaughter, Rachel Lee Wilder, sisters, Lucille Perry and Mardell Jimerson, and a brother, Clyde Hays. Elsie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She took great joy in spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the 1980s and 90s, she and J.W. owned and operated Henderson Livestock, where she worked in the office. She had so much fun and loved working with the other ladies that worked there. She also worked for Wilder Well Service for 8 years and lovingly supported her son, Jay, in his success. Cooking was one of her favorite things to do and man, was she good at it. She also could go fishing every day. Her cousin, Juanita and she could sit on the pier and fish all day long, even if they weren't biting well. Among other things, she enjoyed playing cards and dominos and going to the boats. She loved music and dancing, and could really jitterbug like one of the best. Elsie was a lifelong member of Minden Baptist Church. In her younger years, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was very active in the choir and other church activities. Elsie is survived by her daughter, Donna Wilder, son, Billy Jay Wilder, grandchildren, Joshua Poole and partner Wesly Yap, Aaron and Lane Glaze, Bailey Wilder and Brandon Spivey, great-grandchildren, Rhett Paul, Ryder Paul, Paisley Adcock, Walker Spivey, Kimber Spivey, Pierce Wilder Moore, and Cash and Kinley Glaze; and her special caregiver, Wanda Winkfield. Pallbearers will be Clay Wilder, Brent Wilder, David Perry, Louis Hall, Todd Davis, and Joe Wilder. If desired memorial donations may be made to Minden Baptist Church, P.O. Box 665, Mount Enterprise, Texas, 75681. Condolences may be made at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Elsie Lee Hays Wilder

May 25, 1927 - November 9, 2023