MIDLAND - Wilma Dean O'Bannon Webb Cunningham, 88, died at home on June 17, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Malcom William 'Mac' O'Bannon and Freddy Pruett O'Bannon, one brother, Malcolm Marion O'Bannon, husband and father of her children, Donald E. Webb, husband James R. 'Dick' Cunningham, greatgreat- grandson Charles and grandson Mark Webb. She is survived by her three children, Elaine Webb Booth, of Alabaster, AL, Jerry Webb of Tolar,and Gloria Elmore (Joe) of Texarkana; eight grandchildren, Alison Flasphale (Chris), Jimmy Hopper Jr. (Brook), Shelli Briggs (Troy), Michael Webb (Ashlee Blackketter), Lance Webb, Meghan Webb, Eric Elmore, and Kaitlin Elmore (Travis Jeffries); sixteen great-grandchildren, Brycen Kiker (Grace), Mason Harrington, Casen Briggs(Megan),Tayte Briggs Forey, Kinley Briggs, Korleigh, Kaimee and Kylan Webb, Evan, Kaleb, and Beau Blackketter, Bailey Ables, Sadye Moriarity, Patrick Baugh, Jackson Hughes and Winter Hopper and seven great-great grandchildren of the Briggs family, Hayden, Ariya, Rachel, Zoey, Katelyn, Amelia and Jackson. She is also survived by a number of close cousins and relatives and family friends.
Our mother - also known by many as 'YeHaw MeMaw' or 'Wilma Dean from Abilene', was a true Texas girl. After a lifetime in Texas, she moved to Alabama to live with her daughter Elaine, who was her loving caregiver for five years. Wilma Dean was the oldest child of Malcolm and Freddy O'Bannon, born in Hamilton County, on Aug. 26, 1933. In her early childhood her parents moved to Garden City in Glasscock, County, graduating from Garden City High School in 1950. She was the Homecoming Queen and her stunning looks continued throughout her life.
She married Donald Webb in Big Spring, just three months after meeting on a blind date. Raising children, livestock and a garden on a small farm near Coahoma, she was very busy but she always found time to have fun. Some of our best memories are family dinners, gardening and canning , feeding and showing 4-H Club animals, baking, sewing, piano lessons and going to church and school activities. Mom taught us and encouraged all of our various talents and endeavors. She worked outside the home as secretary of Coahoma First Baptist Church and as a school aid at Coahoma Elementary.
In 1982 she became 'the voice of Abilene High School' as the school telephone operator. She made lifelong friends in Abilene and enjoyed going to school events, wearing Abilene High colors and travelling with friends all over Texas and New Mexico, following Western Swing Music events. She was an avid seamstress and crafter, making many items for craft shows and gifts.