Wilma Mae Donaldson Schneider, 81, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of good food, great stories, and a family that absolutely adored her. Her legacy will live on through them.

Born on August 12, 1945, to Wilburn Eugene Luce and Marie Davis Luce, Wilma lived a big, full life. She was a remarkable woman—strong, independent, and if being honest, wonderfully stubborn, but she was also one of the friendliest, most caring people you could ever meet. Wilma never sugarcoated anything. She told it exactly like it was, and even if her brutal honesty stung a bit, you always respected her for it. To know her was to love her, and to love her was to know her. Her door was always open to everyone. It didn't matter if you were family or a stranger, she immediately made you feel right at home. Wilma was a firm believer in God and was proudly saved by the Almighty. Her faith was something she instilled in her children, and she spoke with absolute certainty about her love for the Lord to anyone who would listen. When her time came, she was completely ready to meet her Maker with no uncertainty. She was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially her kids and grandkids. While she loved her children deeply, her grandkids and great-grandkids held a completely different, extra special status—they could pretty much get away with murder, and she would just laugh it off and treat them like royalty, with no excuses. She loved every single second she got to spend with them. She loved her plants, gardening, her chickens, cooking, and canning—in her later years with Brenda by her side, of course. And, if you were ever lucky enough to get a jar of her homemade salsa, you knew it was hands-down the absolute BEST. She was also a great baker and was always happy to whip up your favorite dessert just to make you smile. When she was relaxing inside, you could usually find her watching her animal shows on National Geographic or whatever channel had them on, and trust us she knew about her animals and could educate you on them, if need be. And so she doesn’t come back to haunt us, we couldn’t write this obituary without a special recognition for her sweet fur babies, Abigail and Gypsy—she absolutely adored them about as much as those grandbabies! Some of her absolute best times were spent going fishing at the coast with the family. She always said it didn’t matter if she caught a single thing—she was just happy to be there making memories. But you better believe whenever she did reel in a big one, her face would light up with the biggest, brightest smile you'd ever want to see. She had never ridden a boat in her life, but once her "Toddie" got one and convinced her to get on his boat, she was hooked. Yes, he was one of those privileged grandkids, so it was much easier for him to persuade her! From then on, she always talked about the next trip and the next boat ride right up until 2 days before her last breath. A lot of people in this room were lucky enough to get to experience one of her coast trips, and those memories will be treasured for the rest of our lives. Wilma truly left her mark on this world and on every single person she left behind. Her love will carry on in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to know her, and she will be forever missed. This is not goodbye, it's until we see you again.

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear. Do not remember me with tears, but remember me with all the smiles and laughter we shared over the years. Think of me as resting from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days or years.

Reunited in Heaven with:  Her parents, Wilburn Eugene Luce and Marie Davis Luce, her sisters, Patricia Ann Luce Donaldson, Linda Joyce Luce Odell, and Sirena Kay Luce, her brother, Milton Wayne Luce and her infant brother who passed at birth.

Deeply missed by: Her Children: Brenda Pettis (Billy), James Alan Donaldson, Lonnie Donaldson, Ronnie Donaldson (Mary), and Patricia Glass, her Grandchildren: Crystal Burlin (Steven), Christina Hill (Tommy), Josh Glass, Todd Glass (Allyson), James B. Donaldson, Austin Donaldson (Colleen), Kimberly Donaldson, Lonnie Alan Donaldson (Kristi), Heather Donaldson, Laci Trevino, Kelly Houghton (Tyler), Amy Brewer, Jenny Brewer, Brandon Brewer, and Mushi Brewer and her Great-Grandchildren, Great-Great Grandchildren, and all her other family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Glass, Todd Glass, Steven Burlin, Tommy Hill, James Burt Donaldson, and Austin Donaldson.

Family and friends are invited to gather for food and fellowship immediately following the burial at Connect Church in Caldwell, TX.