Wilda Mary Hidalgo Force Conway Hart

Wilda Mary Hidalgo Force Conway Hart
Wilda Hart, 95, of Orange, Texas, passed away on June 17, 2020, at her home in Orange. Born May 31, 1925 to Elvira Clotilde Thibodeaux Hidalgo and Felix Joseph Hidalgo in Beaumont, Texas.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2020, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Lani Rousseau.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Elvira Hidalgo; her husbands, Frederick Eugene Force, Roger Joel Conway, Sr., and Jack Maurice Hart, Sr.; her sons, William “Bill” Force and Frederick “Duane” Force; her great-grandchild, Taylor Ashton Lindner; her brothers, Walter Paul Hidalgo and Robert Peter Hidalgo; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Lundy Hidalgo; her nephew, Thomas Paul Hidalgo; as well as her grandparents, Luke and Ideia Hidalgo, and Julia Thibodeaux.

Those left to cherish Wilda’s memory include her loving son, Brent Force; her stepchildren, Jeffery Hart, Jerry Hart, Barbara Hart, Jack Hart, Jr., Roger Conway, Jr., Bruce Conway, and Kathleen Conway; her grandchildren, Teddi Lampman and husband Roger, Ivan Force, Dylan Force, Beth Cramer and husband Jason, Chris Force and wife Jeannie, Michael Force, Katie Meissner and husband Eric, Amy Mann and husband Tony, Lindsay Woodard, and Melody Nickerson; her great-grandchildren, Jason Bell and wife Daniela, Jonathon Bell and wife Ashley, Taylor Piazza, Caitlin Palermo and husband Michael, Jasmine Lindner, Claire Cramer, Molly Force, Luke Force, Nora Mann, Asa Mann, Jay Cramer, Jackson Meissner, Ben Meissner, Angel Force, Seth Force, Devin Force, Dylan Meadows, and Riley Meadows; her great-great-grandchildren, Addison Bell, Maddox Bell, Tres Bell, Austin Yargo, Amber Aguilar, Parker Pomeroy, Chandler Palermo, and Charleigh Palermo; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Wilda attended primary school at McLewis in Orange and St. Anthony in Giles, Pennsylvania; secondary school at South Park, David Crockett in Beaumont; high school at Beaumont High School; and college at Lamar University. She went on to work as a real estate broker, title examiner-closer, and legal secretary for many local businesses including Dal Sasso Realty, Orange County Abstract, Van Breeman Real Estate, and Land Locators Limited. She also worked as a real estate instructor at Lamar State College-Orange and served on the State of Texas Real Estate Advisory Board at Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont. Wilda very much enjoyed working in real estate and gravitated toward young first-time buyers. She found pleasure in getting them in a good resalable home at a price they could afford, and in helping them obtain a loan. Her honest desire to instruct young couples in their biggest investment was her top priority. When working as a title examiner-closer, Wilda was trained by the finest, her second husband Roger Conway, Sr., attorney and owner-manger of Sabine Title Company.

Wilda was passionate about her faith. Her infant baptism was in St. Anthony Catholic Church in Beaumont. She made her profession of faith and was baptized in North Orange Baptist Church, where she worshipped, served, and raised her sons in the faith of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She later joined her husband, Jack Hart, in membership in First United Methodist Church. Wilda was a dedicated adult Sunday School teacher, leader of Bible study groups, and served on several committees. She was a member of Keen Age Choir and United Methodist Women. Wilda had served on mission trips to Mexico as a part of a work team involved in the construction of a new church. She joined a group of Christian Ophthalmologists as a lay technician in a free Methodist eye clinic in Belize and went on the “Journeys of Paul Mediterranean Cruise” to study the in-depth life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. Wilda was active in the Golden Triangle Emmaus Community following her Walk to Emmaus Spiritual Retreat, serving as a “Stephen Minister.” Her passion and long-time ministry was her participation in her church’s Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Wilda was a member of many professional organizations and held several licenses, to include Texas Land Title Association, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Orange County Board of Realtors, Texas Land Title Association, Orange County Appraisal Review Board, Bridge City Chamber of Commerce, and the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission of Drug Abuse.

She also volunteered much of her time and was a member of many recreational groups. Wilda was a water safety instructor and instructor trainer for the American Red Cross; a volunteer for the Beaumont Power Squadron, serving in waterways and watercraft safety regulations and education practices; a volunteer for Orange Christian Services; President of the Parent-Teacher Association; as well as a member of the Sunset Grove Country Club, Orange Community Players, Luther Theater for Performing Arts, Family Motor Coach Association, and Cruisin’ Cajuns.

Wilda’s greatest pleasures in life were primarily found in the joy of family life, both at home and at church. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining, which occurred quite often at the Cajun retreat home on the bayou. Wilda would often treat her guests to their own catch of the day from one of Captain Jack Hart’s fishing boats, the Skinner Dipper. She loved to sing, dance, fish, swim, read, and travel. Wilda and Jack motor coached throughout the United States, up and down the east and west coasts and throughout Canada, or sometimes just joining up with the Cruisin’ Cajuns in Louisiana for a weekend filled with gumbo and dancing.

They enjoyed visiting churches on their trips, such as the Mormon Church in Utah, the Chrystal Cathedral in California, outdoor Easter services, Catholic churches in Louisiana, Presbyterian Church in Frazier, Colorado, or wherever they could find a place of worship. If one wasn’t available, they would pack their Bible and a few snacks, and take off on their bikes until they a secluded, picturesque spot where they could commune with God in the sanctuary of His glorious creation.

The delight of Wilda’s life was teaching the little ones of the family to swim and lavishing in their accomplishments in their growing up years. Her sons were the light of her life and they produced the loving families that she loved to surround herself with. Wilda gave credit for the appreciation and love for family to her mother, Grandma Felix (Elvira). She was the epitome of a Godly woman in all respects and she passed that on to Wilda.

Wilda was a people person. She made friends easily and maintained close personal relationships over the years. She treasured her very close friend and spiritual mentor, Carol Allen, and her dear friend, Jim Finklea. Carol’s friendship was precious to her, even referring to each other as sisters. Jim was always there, come rain or shine, driving her, escorting her to the theater, dining, and sharing his hymnal on Sundays. His artistic gift from God adorned every room in her home. Jim was a true Southern gentleman, respectful of others and well respected in return. They shared a rare and lasting friendship.

She was generous to a fault, but not in her own opinion. Wilda’s compassion far outweighed reason when it came to helping others. She believed with her whole heart that it was more blessed to give than to receive, not only of possessions, but of her own self. The word “no” barely existed in her vocabulary. Score one for the example set by her mother and the Lord Jesus who reminds us that “in as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me.”