Bellville Times

Maggie Mae Hudgens Wilpitz was born Aug. 13, 1921 in Corder, Mo., the first
daughter and second child of Herschel and Mabel Wilcox Hudgens. She grew up
on her parent's dairy in Handley, Texas, attended elementary school in
Handley, and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1939.
Maggie was raised as a Baptist and "baptized in the river" as a child. After
graduation, she moved with her family to Donna, Texas where her parents
opened a roller skating rink. She worked there with her siblings until her
marriage to Paul 0. Tanner in 1942.
A son, Paul Reece Tanner was born to this union in June of 1943. They spent
his Army tour of duty in several states including Kansas, Georgia and
California. Maggie went to work as an auto parts clerk for Cameron Auto
Electric in McAllen, where she was employed from 1947 to 1953, marrying
Ernest Cameron in 1948. Their daughter, Ernestine Mae "Tina" Cameron was
born in October of 1951. While in the Valley, Maggie was a member and
officer of the McAllen VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Maggie began the pursuit of her life-long career by attending Holtry's
Beauty College in Harlingen, Texas, graduating in 1953. She and her young
daughter moved to Brookshire in 1955, where she worked as a beautician at
Tipton's Beauty Salon for many, many years. Her sense of humor, quick wit
and friendly personality resulted in many of her clients becoming life-long
acquaintances. During her daughter's elementary years, she was a member of
the Royal PTA and a room mother. Maggie retired from Tipton's in 1981 to
stay home and baby-sit her youngest granddaughter for the next eight years.
After moving to Brookshire, Maggie was united in marriage with Emory Wilpitz
on Dec. 30, 1957, at the Fort Bend County Courthouse in Richmond, Texas.
Interestingly, they had been playmates as children when she visited her
maternal grandparents in Simonton, Texas, where his aunt also lived.
Maggie and Emory have made their home in Brookshire for over 49 years, but
spent some time in the 1970s traveling with his job to Louisiana and
Florida. During their marriage, they enjoyed many good times with family
members and friends visiting, deer hunting, barbecuing, playing dominos and
relaxing at the coast.
Maggie was a fabulous cook and received great satisfaction from preparing
food for everyone. Her wonderful home-style cooking, delicious desserts, all
kinds of wild game dishes and especially her holiday meals, were relished by
everyone. She enjoyed roller skating, dancing, watching old movies, reading
her many cookbooks, and listening to gospel and country music. Maggie loved
to sit outside in her yard and watch the squirrels, doves and hummingbirds,
that she also indulged with food. Her hobbies included crocheting, detailed
needlework, doing crossword puzzles, and playing all kinds of games,
especially Yahtzee and Scrabble.
A devoted wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, doting great grandmother
and great friend, Maggie will be dearly missed by all those who knew and
loved her. She was an attractive woman with a beautiful smile, amusing
personality and a determined spirit. Her legacy of hard work, order and
organization, trustworthiness, and loyalty will continue to live on through
her family.
Maggie passed away peacefully Sunday, May 20, 2007 at her home in Brookshire
at the age of 85, after a lengthy struggle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years Emory Wilpitz of
Brookshire; son Paul Tanner and his wife Genver, of Rancho Viejo, Texas;
daughter Tina Brunkenhoefer and her husband, Bubba, of Sealy;  four
granddaughters Jennifer Moore and her husband, Tom of Bellaire, Deena Tanner
of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Britt Smith and her husband Dustin, of Richmond,
Texas and Brandi Kuecker and her husband, SPC Russell Kuecker of Fort

Posted by Joy Neely