Laurie Leigh Wilcox

Laurie Leigh Walter Wilcox, devoted wife of Wes Wilcox and faithful servant of God, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 19, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded at home by family and friends and leaves behind a deep passion for Jesus that was evident to everyone who knew her.

Laurie was born the second of five children in Wichita, Kansas on August 1, 1957 (At Wesley Hospital). She spent her youth inboth Omaha and Papillion, Nebraska and was a 1975 graduate of Papillion High School. In 1980 she graduated from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, MO with a BS in Education and began her teaching career in Buffalo, Missouri.

While at college she met her husband and together they followed God’s guidance, going with the International Missionary Boardto Zimbabwe, Africa as youth workers in schools and churches(1991-1994) and then to Zambia as church planters (1998-2010).

In 2011 God altered their course and led them to help co-found the New Day Orphanage in Mapanza, Zambia. What began as 62 acres of undeveloped bushland has become, 14 years later,the home to fifty-three Zambian orphans of all ages. Here, Laurie was given her name “Mama Lala”. She used her talents and skills in the lives of these children as they became part of the New Day family, received an education under her leadership,learned the ways of their Zambian culture, and were introduced to the love of God and His desire to have a personal relationship with them through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. A relationship which Laurie had in her own life.

While in Africa, Laurie developed a keen love of elephants. Being an artist and writer at heart she used her acquired knowledge of them in her paintings, writings, and teaching. She also developed a deep understanding of the meaning of living by prayer and faith. 

In 2020, she returned to the U.S where she was diagnosed with and began treatment for Stage IV cancer. Her trust in the Lord was evident in her daily life as she faced this adversity, and shewrote a book chronicling this journey.* Bible study and prayer carried her through her final years during which she continued to share Jesus with others as she touched countless lives.

Laurie leaves behind her loving husband of nearly 47 years, Wesley Wilcox; parents, James P. and Lois Walter of Bellevue, NE; sister, Pam (Lance) Gowen, Fort Mill, SC; brothers, James S. (Gabriela) Walter, Oak Harbor, WA; Michael (Pru Foster) Walter, Potomac, MD; Craig (Lori) Walter, Papillion, NE, three nephews, six nieces, and one great-niece; four sister-in-law’sand their families, brother-in-law Robbie Shay and fifty three Zambian children at New Day Orphanage. She also leaves behind many generous and supportive friends.

Laurie was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and her brother-in-law.

A Celebration of Laurie’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25 at Clevelands First Baptist Church, 300 W. Hanson St., Cleveland, TX 77327. This service will be live streamed on YouTube at @clevelandsfirstbaptist. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, January 24 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, 303 E. Crockett St., Cleveland, TX 77327

A second Celebration of Life will be held in Bellevue, Nebraska on Monday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m., Lifespring Church, 13904 S. 36th, Bellevue, NE 68123

Laurie’s desire is to have her ashes buried at New Day Orphanage in Zambia, Africa next to New Day orphan, Precious, who previously passed and with whom Laurie shared a special bond. In lieu of flowers and to help defray the cost of taking Laurie’s ashes overseas a dedicated fund has been set up at Southside Bank of Cleveland, TX. Donations can be sent directly to this fund via Zelle to Wes Wilcox, or via PayPal to WesleyWilcox811, or via check which can be sent to Wes Wilcox at 470 CR 319, Cleveland, TX 77327.

Laurie will be dearly missed by family and friends, but we are grateful that God allowed her to be part of our lives for so long.One of her favorite verses became Jeremiah 30:17, “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds”. While her physical body was not restored to health on earth, she had great peace knowing that in heaven she would be.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15.

*Cancer Journey: my Worst Year, my Best Year: THE STORY OF HOW A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER BECAME A BLESSING