Wilma Hartley born April 23, 1956 in Denison Texas was the first daughter of the late Marva Royston Hartley and the late William Hartley. Wilma was raised during her early years by her Grandmother the late Pauline Watley Royston.  Wilma attended Denison Public Schools and graduated from Denison High School in 1974.  After graduation, under the guardianship of her uncle, Wilma relocated to Houston Texas and enrolled in Texas Southern University where she received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice.

Wilma worked for several years at Zale's Jewelry stores in Houston where she started as an office clerk and worked her way up the chain to Office Manager. Afterwards, Wilma worked in various positions for FedEx in Houston for 23 years.  At FedEx, Wilma put her Criminal Justice Degree to work and received numerous commendations/awards.  E.G., In 1994, Wilma received a Public Service Award from the Houston Chief of Police in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Houston Police Department and the City of Houston.  This award was due to Wilma's assistance, as a representative of FedEx, in a significant law enforcement investigation that resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 18.5 pounds of cocaine, 5.5 pounds of ecstasy and over $236,000.00 in cash.  On another occasion Wilma noticed an unusual situation in the shipping of computers and asked a few questions which led directly to a controlled delivery and arrest of suspects and the recovery of numerous computers purchased on fraudulent Credit Cards.  Wilma was an honest loyal employee who had a strong belief in doing the right thing.

As a child Wilma's family and Church family raised her in the St. Emmanuel COGIC Denison TX where she was a faithful member who sang in the choir and was a regular participant in various other church activities until she left to attend college. Although she moved away, Wilma stayed close to her spiritual teaching throughout her entire life and everyone she touched got a taste of the true fruits of the spirit .  She genuinely exhibited all of them:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

Wilma is survived by: a sister Reba Hartley Bryant; a brother Van Hartley (Kim); an uncle Roy Royston (Vickie); nieces; Enga Bryant, Franchesca Bryant, Marva Bryant and Ausha Hartley; nephews Jamal Hartley, Jarod Hartley, Jaron Hartley and Rashad Wallace; great nieces Journee Sample and Marley Bryant; Special cousins Carmon Alexander, Merwen Thomas (Sheri), Michael Douglas, Marshia Douglas Love and LaNiece Douglas Strogen (Rick); and a host of other relatives and friends, including relatives in other states on her father's side she discovered and communicated with in the last several years.

Wilma passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 12, in the Clearlake Hospital, Webster, Texas after an extended illness.

Public visitation will be Sunday, December 17, from 1 to 5 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Monday, December 18, at 11 A.M. in Waldo Funeral Chapel.  Elder Larry Polk will officiate and Elder James Hunt will deliver the eulogy.  Burial will follow in the Royston's plot at Magnolia Cemetery in Denison.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James E. Smith and the professionals of Waldo Funeral Home.