Lola M. Wilmes
June 30, 1931 - October 27, 2020
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, Lola Wilmes died peacefully after a brief illness. Lola lived an exemplary life of 89 years as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and teacher.
Lola was born on June 30, 1931, in Purcell, OK to Clifford and Maggie Tippit. She was born first of eight children and had all the characteristics of the eldest child: studious, responsible, confident, organized and competent. She attended Our Lady of Victory Elementary in Purcell, then Mount St. Mary High School in Oklahoma City and graduated as Valedictorian in 1949. She completed nursing school at St. Anthony Hospital, and finished her bachelor’s degree in nursing at St. Mary College, Leavenworth, KS. Later in life, she completed her master’s degree in nursing and a pastoral ministry degree through the Archdiocese of Oklahoma. She worked as a nurse at both St. Anthony Hospital and Baptist Integris for many years.
Through her involvement in the Coronado Club, she met and married Charles Theodore Wilmes in 1956. Together, they raised three children, Carolyn, born in 1960; Denise, born in 1962; and Mark, born in 1965. She loved sewing, knitting, bowling, gardening, and dancing. She and Charles loved to square dance and round dance and were involved in several dance clubs, most notably Circle 8. They traveled extensively, enjoying cruises and overseas trips with friends and family. They loved local theater, especially Lyric and Jewel Box Theaters. The Wilmes Labor Day pool party was the highlight of the year, notwithstanding the occasional green algae color of the pool water, or torrential rains!
Lola and Charles joined St. Charles parish when it was first started. Throughout their years together, St. Charles school and parish were integral parts of their family life. They served their parish in numerous ways, but Lola especially enjoyed being a Eucharistic Minister.
She began teaching nursing soon after graduating nursing school. She taught at St. Anthony School of Nursing, Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and at Oklahoma State University Technical Institute. She served for many years as a Fundamentals of Nursing Instructor and taught clinical rotations with first year nursing students. In 1984, Lola was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went on to be a 36-year survivor, but the experience forever shaped her instruction for the proper care and comfort for oncology patients.
Lola cared for Charles when he became ill and lovingly nursed him until his death in 2008. She continued her volunteer work with Reach to Recovery and stayed active with her friends and family. She moved to St. Ann and lived there for seven years until her death. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers who helped Lola through her declining health. Special mention to the wonderful nursing staff at Integris Hospice House. God bless you!
Lola was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Maggie Tippit; husband, Charles Wilmes; brothers, Kenneth Tippit and Leroy Tippit; and sister, Mary Tippit. She is survived by her three children, Carolyn Seelen, (David), Denise Brinkworth, (Jim), and Mark Wilmes, (Jennie); also her sister, Norma Williams; sister, Wanda Urban; brother, Richard Tippit; and sister, Theresa Sullivan. She is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lauren Foree (Justin, Kennedy, and Charlie), Jared Perrault, Steven Brinkworth (Victoria, Jaylen), Erin and Lindsey Brinkworth, Andrew and Jonathan Wilmes. She adored her many nieces and nephews and sent them birthday cards every year!
Every night before bed, Lola would kiss her three children, make the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads and say, “God bless you and Mary keep you sweetheart, God loves you and Mommy and Daddy love you, Goodnight.”
A Rosary will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 5024 N. Grove Ave., Warr Acres, OK 73122. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at St. Charles Church. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Masks and social distancing required. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City.
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