Obituary of Wilda Capo

Wilda Loretta Harper Capó

Born January 11, 1928 in Clendenin, West Virginia, Wilda passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the age of 93. She fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She is survived by her son Michael Allen Capó and his wife Pamela, and her beloved grandchildren Allen Michael and Ryan Michael. Also survived by her sister Marshaline Ann Mullins (Danny) and sister-in-law Carolyn Jones Harper (Carl) as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her parents Frederick Lee Harper and Anna Cecilia Perrine Harper, her siblings Mildred Lucille Harper, Bill Lee Harper, Amanda Jean Harper Deel, Robert Owen Harper, Charles Newton Harper, George Kermit Harper, Burl Hunter Harper, Carl Marion Harper, and Joyce Karen Harper Runnebaum.

Wilda grew up in Clendenin until she moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She attended school and met her husband, Octavio Capó. A young military wife, they traveled and enjoyed spending time with friends.  They later moved to Puerto Rico where Octavio started a private practice as a dentist. Wilda was fiercely independent and a smart businesswoman. In the 1950’s she owned a dress shop named Harper’s where she helped the women on the island with their fashion. When she became a single mother, she worked at Fort Allen (Ponce) in a support position, then moved to a new position with Antilles Consolidated Schools at Fort Buchanan (San Juan). Her motivation was to support her son and be close to him while he attended the American school in Puerto Rico. She continued her education at the World University in San Juan earning her degree in Business Administration.

Along the way, she served as den mother, team mother for the various sports Michael played, Cheerleading Sponsor and unofficial team cook for Michael’s various sporting teams.

In 1979, Wilda and Michael moved to Silver Spring, Maryland so that Michael could attend the University of Maryland.  She continued her professional career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency where she served in various capacities including creating official policy documentation.  She was a stickler for high editorial standards. She was highly regarded by the FEMA administration and staff and was invited to the White House on more than one occasion. She enjoyed her work immensely particularly when she was able to use her bilingual abilities. During natural disasters Wilda volunteered her time on location to assist those in need.

Wilda retired from FEMA in 1994 and moved to Georgia in 2002 to be closer to her son and family.

During this time in Georgia, she became an active member of the Johns Creek Baptist Church where she served as a greeter.  She made many friends and spent countless hours watching her grandson’s play sports.

Wilda had a heart of gold.  She went out of her way to selflessly help, and often inspire, countless people over the years.

She was one-of-a-kind and will be missed deeply.

A private service will be held at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel & Gardens in Buford, Georgia where she will be laid to rest on September 10, 2021 at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests prayers and thoughtfully consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in Wilda’s memory.

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Wilda at hamiltonmillchapel.com