Mildred Augusta Wakefield

Mom, who was born on Jan. 22, 1919 in Hebron, Ohio, died peacefully at the Paradise Hospice House on July 19, 2014. At 95, a broken hip of ten days earlier was just too much for her already tired body. Her parents were Wilbur and Marcelia Gorrell, of Hebron, Ohio. Her dad was employed in the farming and oil business and in her early years the family moved often to several cities across the Midwest; including McAllen, Breckenridge, and Odessa, Texas where in 1938 she met husband, William. Her two sons, Will and Don were born to them in Odessa. Dad, who worked as a bank teller soon became involved in the aviation business and after flying military transports in the war effort they headed to Boulder Creek, CA. where Dad flew airlines out of Oakland. The family then moved on to San Jose, then on to Willows in 1951 where she finished raising her sons. Mom had many talents and interests, the farm life suited her. For several years she worked for the Willows Office of the Forest Service, during this time is when Joe Ely started pioneering airplane use for aerial fire fighting, using the local Willows Ag Pilots. She enjoyed raising her children. African Violets was a passion while in Willows. Mom and Dad then moved to Santa Cruz for several more years. In 1963 they moved to Las Vegas, while there Mom became quite the artist for a number of years, she took many classes and produced several quality works of art which are already family heirlooms. She joined the Adventist church there and has been a lifelong member since. While living in Las Vegas her and Dad snowbirded to Pinehurst, Idaho for many years and entertained the grandkids many summers creating lasting bonds with all of them. In 1989 they moved back to California at Morro Bay till Dads passing in 2000, then she moved up to Paradise to live with her son, Don. She leaves her two sons, Will and Don, six grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren. She is laid to rest with her husband, sister, and mother at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, CA. Mom was a kind and loving person, especially to her husband, kids and grandkids. She had wisdom beyond her years, and was very supportive and giving of herself. We will miss her beyond what words can possibly describe. There is more to come, Mom is not at the end of her trail rather she is at the Trailhead of the greatest adventure in life, and I hope to meet up with her again on that trail. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Mildred Augusta Wakefield, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.