December 12, 1937 – July 24, 2023

Mary Cecile Laird Wilder, 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 24, in The Woodlands, Texas with her family at her side.

Mrs. Wilder is survived by her two daughters, Mary Natalie Ford and Catherine Lauren Wilder, of The Woodlands, Texas; five grandchildren: John Duncan Ford IV (Leah DePrang Ford), Mary Lauren Ford Briggs (Jeffrey Preston Briggs), Sarah Catherine Ford, Lauren Cecile Bentley LeGros (Matthew Benjamin LeGros), and Andrea Elise Bentley Bennett (Lee Maxwell Ross Bennett ); four great-grandsons: John Duncan Ford V (“Cinco”), Davis Charles Briggs, James Laird Briggs, and Charles Robert LeGros. She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her two great-granddaughters: Madeline Marie LeGros and Amelia Cecile Bennett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Herbert Wilder; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther Laird Jr.; her husband’s parents, H.L. Wilder and Marie Buckner Wilder; and her brother, Martin Luther Laird, III.

Mary Cecile was born on December 12, 1937, in Alexandria, Louisiana and grew up on Rosalie Plantation outside Alexandria. In her early years, she spent time at a camp in Fishville, walking along the creek with her friends. She loved spending time in her garden at home and arranging roses. Mary Cecile recently reminisced about time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren making “humdingers”, rice crispy-coated date balls, which were a Christmas tradition. Bridge was a favorite pastime with lifelong friends. She resided in Alexandria until her move to The Woodlands in 2018.

Some of Mary Cecile’s favorite activities in Bolton High School were the Bluebirds Club, basketball team, Drama Club, Homecoming Court, the Library Club where she had a pin, Latin Club Vice President and Secretary, Bruin yearbook business staff, Leadership Conference, Graduating usher, Press Conference attendee, and Baccalaureate usher.

Mary Cecile graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She was active in Kappa Delta sorority at LSU. She later earned a master’s degree plus 30 hours in Education from LSU. She also earned certification in Elementary School Principalship and Supervision and then was appointed as Principal of Acadian Sixth Grade Center where she retired after more than 30 years in Education.

Serving at Calvary Baptist Church was one of Mary Cecile’s greatest joys. She served on the Building Finance Committee of the Together We Build Program for the current Calvary Baptist Church building at 5011 Jackson Street which was dedicated February 1982. The pulpit furniture in the Calvary Chapel was donated by Mary Cecile and C.H. in memory of their parents. Mary Cecile served as a Sunday School and Training Union director.

Pallbearers will be Martin Laird, Duncan Ford, Matt LeGros, Jeff Briggs, Ben Russo, John Doggett, John Ford, and Phillip DePrang. Honorary pallbearers will be Knight Doggett, Jim Hanna, and John Texada.

Please join us in celebrating her life Saturday, July 29, at 9:00 visitation and 10:00 a.m. service at Calvary Baptist Church, 5011 Jackson Street, Alexandria, Louisiana, under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.