Wilda Lou Lawhorn

Wilda was born March 17, 1929 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of George Riley and Ruby Etta Presley. She passed away the 28th of October, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband of 71 years Charlton Dabney Lawhorn, two daughters, Linda Elizabeth Collins and Kathryn Rebecca Pinto of Overland Park, Kansas; two sons, Dr. Charlton David Lawhorn of Lawrence, Kansas and Col. Charles D. Lawhorn of Tampa, Florida; ten grandchildren; and one great grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, David Presley. Most of her childhood Wilda was raised in Parsons, Kansas attending grade school and high school while her father worked at a major hub for the MK&T (Katty) Railroad. Wilda married the love of her life Dabney Lawhorn July 3, 1946 in Parson, KS. Wilda was a wonderful wife and mother spending most of her life raising her children. She was an accomplished cook and baker winning many awards. As a friend, you could not find a better one and her friends will miss her wit, laughter and ever present smile. Those who knew her best said she never met a stranger as all were drawn to her warmth and charm. She made a home for her husband and family in Austin Texas, El Dorado, Parsons, White City, Newton, and Kansas City as Dabney moved up in school administration positions, finally making their home in the Turner area. She and Dabney resided in Kansas City from 1965 to 2014 when they moved to Lawrence living with their son David and wife Stephanie until moving into a retirement community in Lawrence. Wilda was active in the church choir and a soughtafter soloist with a pitch perfect operatic soprano voice. After her oldest children were grown and out of the home she began working at J.C Penney quickly moving into a management position. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and active all her life. Wilda was loving and kind, always doing for others, supporting her husband and family all her life and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her especially her family and friends. There will be no formal services for Wilda Lou Presley Lawhorn, 4401 Heritage Dr., Lawrence until her loving husband passes so that they can be honored together. Wilda’s wishes were that she be remembered as she was before her illness, full of life and love. Inurnment will be held at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center and may be sent in care of WarrenMcElwain Mortuary. Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com.