And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on... They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelations 14:13)

Wanda Vivian Hancock Lemons, a true servant of God, passed away March 17, 2016 at the age of 84 in Odessa, TX. Formerly of the Texas communities of Monahans, Pecos, Lamesa and Morton, Mrs. Lemons faithfully served her family as the wife of a pastor, a mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. Whether you knew her as Mama, Mom, Wanda V, Mimi, or Mrs. Lemons, you knew that she loved God and the church and that her life was about serving the church. She encouraged all people she encountered with her knowledge of scripture and steadfast prayer. If you were related to her, you received at least one gift of a Bible from Mrs. Lemons as she encouraged all in the word of God and gathered her strength from the authority of God's word.

Born to Aaron “Hazel” and Eunice Hancock in the same house as her father was born in Lamesa, TX, Mrs. Lemons was the eldest sibling in her family and took her position of leadership with all seriousness as from a young age Mrs. Lemons was ever a teacher and instructor of all. She graduated from Morton High School and married R.C. Lemons in Lovington, New Mexico on May 21, 1949. She went on to study at American Christian College & Seminary of Oklahoma City even going on to continue studying and teaching the Bible, learning Hebrew and visiting Israel as a student of the history of Jesus. She was a life-long student of God’s word and teacher and most recently taught at West Texas Christian Academy of Monahans, TX, and as a substitute teacher at Monahans High School.

Mrs. Lemons has now finished her course and joined those in heaven who went on before her: husband R. C. Lemons, parents Aaron “Hazel” & Eunice Hancock, brothers Richard and John Hancock, sister Mayree Silhan, sons-in-law, Jodell Hannah, sister-in-law Ava Hancock, and brothers-in-law John Silhan and Bruce Angel.

She has now come to the time for which she lived. Mrs. Lemons’ works will follow in ways that can not be overlooked by those she leaves here on earth: daughters Rayma Richey (John) of Breckenridge, TX, and Ann Dunaway (Danny) of Odessa; sons Curt Lemons (Liz) and Mike Lemons (Martha) of Gardendale; brother Herschel Hancock of Breckenridge, TX; sister Melinda Angel (Bentley Page) of Lubbock; sisters-in-law Maria Hancock of El Paso and Shirl Hancock of Levelland. Surviving grandchildren of Mrs. Lemons are Casey Davison (Al) and John Hannah (Angela) of Oklahoma City; Stephanie Hardy (Daniel) of Georgetown, TX; Holly Cannon (Scotty), Sarah Morgan (Joseph), Katy Bownds (Dustin), and Hannah Lemons of Gardendale; Kelly Ann Pinnell (Taylor) of Corpus Christi; Hoss Lemons (Kristin) of Gardendale; and Lyndsey Lemons of San Antonio. Mrs. Lemons is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Lemons’ family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Madison Medical Resort as well as the members of Life Change Baptist Church who have cared for and loved on Mrs. Lemons.

Service arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home of Morton, TX. A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Morton Memorial Cemetery in Morton, TX, following a memorial service on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Life Change Baptist Church at 1000 N. Texas Ave. in Odessa. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to Life Change Baptist Church of Odessa in honor of Mrs. Lemons.

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