Vanita Hobbs

Vanita Hobbs went to see Jesus on Monday, April 4, 2022. She is home, singing and praising Jesus. 

Visitation will be 6:30-7:30 Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Englunds. Funeral Services will be 10:30 am Thursday, April 7, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Wilson.  Interment will follow at Green Memorial Park in Wilson.  Arrangements are by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Elna Vanita Hobbs was born on February 14, 1933, in Meadow, TX to John R And Lottie Gayle.

When she was 11 years old, Vanita’s family left their dairy farm in Meadow, TX and moved to Lingleville, TX.  A year later Vanita’s mom died.   For a year she lived with her maternal grandparents in the Deleon, TX area. Then her father married a precious woman named Marie, they moved to a farm near Wilson, TX.  Vanita and BW met on the school bus and married after high school in 1952 – it was a marriage of love and dedication which spanned 50 years.

As the wife of a cotton farmer, Vanita was BW’s devoted partner in all aspects of farm life, working in the field, moving irrigation pipes, driving trailers to the gin, and canning all manner of bounty from the garden and orchard.  The garden was always purposely larger than needed to share with others.  Vanita’s hands were never idle – she was a wonderful seamstress and so creative.   BW and Vanita were active in their childrens’ lives at school and church.  BW drove the band and basketball team bus with Vanita as copilot and were chaperones for many band events for school.  After BW’s death in 2001, Vanita lived in Wilson until she was 85, when she moved to Abilene, TX to be near family.  Vanita leaves a long-lasting legacy to her family and everyone she met – a legacy of loving Jesus, and sharing and showing His love to others, not only by her words, but in her daily life.  She was involved in Bible classes at church and VBS in the community of Wilson.  She loved teaching Sunday School to young children at Wilson First Baptist for over 60 years and singing in the choir until she was 85.

She was preceded in death by her older brothers, Elzie Gayle and Joe Gayle; and her husband, BW Hobbs Jr.

Vanita is survived by her 3 children, Karen Moore and her husband, David (daughter, Paula), Beverly Peeples and her husband Jon (sons, Ryan and Kevin), and Randy Hobbs and his wife, Teri; three grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. 

Though Vanita will be missed by so many, she's now in perfect health, with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as many family members and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church, Wilson or Green Memorial Park Cemetery in Wilson.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.