Wilma Dean Drewer

Wilma Dean Drewer, 95, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 at Cox South Hospital, Springfield. She was born July 12, 1930 to Paul and Irene Miller.

She grew up in Corning, Arkansas on the family farm. She was the oldest sister of nine siblings, who fondly called her “Sis.” She graduated from Corning High School. After she graduated, she was asked to teach in the 2-room school-house, so she completed her teacher certification and taught one year for the elementary grades. Wilma was baptized at 12 years old in the Current River and would cook lots of catfish at the annual family catfish catch and fry on that same river.

Wilma had a sacrificial, servant heart that overcame odds as a single mom to raise and love her son, Stan. Later Dale and Wilma met and married June 16, 1962 and lived in St. Louis County, Missouri. Wilma worked for 40 years at Jack Evan’s manufacturing company as a switch-board operator and receptionist. She was highly praised and known as the one who everyone liked because she would always help her co-workers out of a pinch. She made a difference in her work, home, and church communities serving others with a good meal, a helping hand and an encouraging word. Being a wife, mom, grandma, and sister was the joy of her life!

Upon retirement, Dale and Wilma moved to Table Rock Lake where they enjoyed fishing, boating, and pulling their grandkids on tubes and water skis. Wilma also enjoyed catching a Presley show in Branson and listening to southern gospel music at Silver Dollar City. Wilma kept everyone’s bellies full as an amazing cook putting together homemade meals from scratch like biscuits and gravy for breakfast and roasts with all the fixings for dinner.

Dale and Wilma also served through Volunteer Christian Builders for 13 years to go on trips to build new churches and host a neighborhood VBS for the kids and for Baptist Campgrounds for Kids. Wilma tirelessly made buckets of cookies to bless all the kids at the VBS with a treat. One memorable trip was to serve after Hurricane Katrina hit delivering meals to those who lost their homes. Dale and Wilma made several cross-country trips in their RV, traveling from Missouri to Texas, then to California, and up to Alaska to see the wildlife and the breathtaking scenery along the West Coast.

Wilma is survived by her husband Dale, her son Stan, and her grandkids Sheree, Noah, Caitlin, and Morgan and her siblings Dorlene, Don and Diane. Wilma also has 11 great grandkids that she loved to spoil with chocolate animal crackers and gummy bears and lots of hugs and kisses. Wilma left a legacy of love, faith and hope in Jesus.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025 at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, Missouri with Pastor Travis Edwards officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Those who would like to accompany the family to the burial at 1 p.m. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield are welcome to follow in procession following the service.