Leila E. Pankey

Leila E. (Wilson) Pankey, 84, of El Dorado Springs, went to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, Sept. 12, 2019, with her daughters by her side.  Leila was born Oct.17, 1934, in Walnut Grove the oldest daughter of William R. and Doris Marguarite (Clark) Wilson.

Leila had seven brothers and sisters and, as the oldest girl, had many responsibilities. Her dad was a fireman and engineer on the railroad for over 30 years. Her mom completed five conservatories of music and was a concert pianist. They moved many times growing up in California, Oregon, Kansas and Missouri. In 1952 her mom and two sisters were killed in a house fire in rural El Dorado Springs. Leila took it upon herself to take care of her smaller brothers and sisters until her dad remarried, Katheryn Adele (Graves Scott). Adele brought three sons to this marriage.  Leila graduated from Roscoe high school.

Leila served in the United States Air Force, travelling the world as a Flight Attendant.  She flew Bob Hope and many celebrities to entertain the troops and even shared a lunch with Elvis Presley in Biloxi, MS.  Saving lives and making lifelong friends and memories serving her country was always a source of pride for her and her family.

Leila married Jack R. Pankey on Aug. 15, 1959. To their union three daughters were born: Jacqueline Marguarite, Kelly Lynn, and Jennifer Jo.

Jack and Leila raised their children in Mason City, IL. Leila always loved sewing clothes for her children and her husband. She made wedding dresses, parade uniforms and much more. She could make anything anyone wanted.  Jack passed away in 1986 and Leila couldn’t wait for the day when they would be together again.

Leila’s church home, she shared with her sister, Doris, was Riverview Bible Church, Osceola. She was baptized Sept. 25, 2016, in the Sac River with her grandson, Jackson.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Jack; her daughter, Jacqueline; her parents; her stepmom, Adele; and three sisters – Donnie Wilson, Alberta Wilson and Georgia Wilkins.

She is survived by her daughters, Kelly (Gary) Lowe, Walker, and Jennifer (Joe) Samborski,    El Dorado Springs; sister, Doris (Joe) Norval; brothers – John Wilson, Yucipia, CA, Bill (Maxine)Wilson, Nevada, and Jim (Melody) Wilson, El Dorado Springs; three stepbrothers – Bernard Scott, Denver, CO, Kenneth (Lilas) Scott, Liberty, and Donald Scott, El Dorado Springs; 10 grandchildren –  Kandace, Melissa, Lori, Holly, Samantha, Jackson, Chase, Rheannon, Cody and Dylan; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joy Scott; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and family and friends.

Services were held on Monday, Sept 16, 2019, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Pastor Rick Thompson officiating. She was laid to rest next to her husband and daughter, Jackie, in El Dorado Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Gary Lowe, Joe Samborski, Jackson Lowe, Jim Wilson, Rusty Norval and Will Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Norval and Bill Wilson.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to help the family with expenses and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.