My mom, Anita Wilks of Hondo, died on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 1:45 in the morning when her heart finally gave way after a heroic struggle with Vascular Dementia and COPD. She was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on March 3 of 1941. She was the sparkle in my grandfather's, Harold Read's, eyes and was the loving daughter to my grandmother, Anita. While she was their only child, she grew up with many cousins' around whom she considered her brothers and sisters, especially George Daniels and Sara Rita Smith. She is joining many loving family members who preceded her in death, including her dad, mom and feisty fun-loving grandmother, Lula, along with her best friends, Penny and Jan. She was never embarrassed to tell her age and, at 77, my mom breathed her last breath wanting more days to hold on to, to love, to care and to cherish. My mom traveled and lived all around the world, just as she hoped to as a little girl, doing good deeds and random acts of kindness where ever she went including Italy, France, Mexico, Germany, Greece and Japan. She made quite a bit of splashes and sparkles in New York, Hawaii, Arkansas, Maryland, Texas, Nebraska, Alabama (where my dad was a gentle man in officer's training), California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida to name a few. Being married to my dad was a reason for her to celebrate every day, especially with his being in the Air Force and traveling all around the world. Her only regret was never having the opportunity to travel to Egypt to see the Great Pyramids and feel their energy flows. We, her loving living family, are left to remember her beauty, her grace and her kindness: my dad, James Wilks, who is the love of her life from the first moment she saw him, and me, Dawn, her grateful daughter to whom she gave many valuable lessons and gifts; her son, Harold, will miss her love and presence daily; and William Hoover, who was a delight and surprise she never expected coming. Many of her extended family have fond and funny stories to tell of her antics, including Roger and Sharon, Terry and Dick, Deborah and Andrew, along with Ethel, Patty, Fran, Carol, Susan and so many others. Her many furbabies and grand-furbabies, some she will join, others who miss her already, will long for her caring ear scratches, snuggles and many treats. While living in Hondo, her world became a family of friends she created through love and, though I know I am going to fail to mention many of my "brothers" and "sisters", our family also includes Chuck and his family; hair magician Julie with her talented hands; Mark, Ellisha and Myra; Bernadette and her furbabies; Phil and Terry; Greg, Jess and Will; Lauren, who only recently returned to our little village; Gene; Oscar; the entire Cherry Creek neighborhood and so many others whom she touched with her heart. My mom was an amazing cook and a talented seamstress who taught me how to cook, sew and embroider. She was both a Boy Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout Troop Leader as we children were growing up. She volunteered all around the world helping babies to older folks, was a member of TOPS and a Life Member of Beta Sigma Phi. She taught and encouraged us to stand on the brink of precipices and to look over the edge out into the world, even though she herself was afraid of heights. She was sassy and loved to tease, and could instantly transform into a formidable Mae West for the Casino Night she magically created for fundraising events. She was a shooting star whose sparkling glitter is now falling from the sky for our open hands to catch as she passes by. You are invited to her visitation on Thursday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Guinn-Horger Funeral Home Chapel in Hondo. Those who wish are welcome to wear something delightfully colorful in memory of her joy. Her graveside service will be held on Friday, May 18, at 1:45 p.m., at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. We will meet at Fort Sam under a pavilion there to say our good-byes before she is buried. Because of her love for animals and dogs in particular, my mom was working on a project with me known as "Hondo's Huts 4 Mutts" which she would really appreciate your help with. Therefore, donations in memory of Anita Wilks can be made to "City of Hondo - Huts4Mutts Program" and they can be mailed to: City of Hondo - Huts4Mutts Attention - Dee Willman 1600 Avenue M Hondo, Texas 78861 Flowers are always welcome as they delighted my mom so much and she enjoyed every bloom that came into her day. Every hummingbird and yellow rose will remind me of her for the rest of my days. She is dearly loved and greatly missed.