Wilma Hendry's Obituary
Wilma “Jackie” Hendry (née Phillips), 77, of Lutz, passed away on October 15, 2025. She was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, and spent her early years in Sparta, Tennessee, before her family relocated to Florida, where she became a lifelong resident.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Maude Phillips, her brother Floyd, and her nephew Charlie. She is survived by her beloved daughter Lisa Croissant (Eddy), granddaughters Mikayla Croissant and Caitlín Parrish (Charles), great-grandson Ciarán, and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Wilma dedicated much of her career to food service and bar management. In the 1970s, she managed a local Tampa drive-up restaurant called “Dee’s Dog n’ Suds” and later managed Clementi’s Lounge and Package for many years. A strong and independent single mother, Wilma was selfless in her care for others. She not only raised her daughter but also played a significant role in helping to raise her granddaughters, nieces, and nephews.
Wilma expressed her love through food. Before retiring, she enjoyed hosting dinners at local restaurants for her daughter and large groups of friends. In retirement, she delighted in cooking and baking—especially her award-winning pecan pies, which she loved to share.
An avid bargain hunter and people-person, Jackie enjoyed selling at flea markets and garage sales whenever she could. She also had a passion for travel and fondly remembered trips with her daughter to England, Scotland, and Ireland, and a solo adventure to Paris, France. She had plans to embark on a river cruise in the coming year, but God had other plans.
Wilma loved her family deeply. She will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and generosity—and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Lutz. A viewing will take place immediately prior, at 10:00 AM, in the church’s wake room.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Wilma’s memory be made to:
The Children's Home Network: https://www.childrenshomenetwork.org/donate-now
A Kid's Place (Valrico): https://give.akidsplacetb.org/give/507634/#!/donation/checkout
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now
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