Lolita Inventor Wagner

Lolita “Lee” Inventor Wagner was born on May 16thin Antipolo, Manilla, Philippines to Anastasio Inventor and Nieves (Loreto) during the arena of World War II. The circumstances and time in history of her birth made her a very resilient and resourceful lady. Her “can do” attitude, ingenuity, and creativity to use simple things to “make it work” was a testament to this. She was the eldest of her parents' children and was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister and grandson Josiah Inventor. She was a dutiful daughter and mother that provided and cared for her mother and sons. She was blessed to be a mother to Jones Inventor and Jerry Wagner and became a loving grandmother. She is survived by sons Jones (Donelle), grandson Joel Inventor and Jerry Wagner (Maria Herrera), grandchildren Izik, Ariana, Nicole, Sheree, Jerry Jr, Angelica Great grandchildren: Sylvia and Kairi. She loved her many friends that formed a family bond here in the U.S. Some of those being Donald and Evelyn Wagner, Bill and Wanda Whitehead, David and LaDean Peck, Chris and Darla Kolker, Jim and Vae Peck, Deanna Whitehead, the Paul Slayton and Woody Allison Families, sisters Tessie Warwick and Jocelyn Trusan, granddaughter Isabelle Trusan.

She began working at a very young age to help provide food and income for the family. She did many things as a young child, from selling pineapples, mangoes, or papaya door to door or ironing all day in a Filipino laundry. Her adult years she worked as domestic help providing housekeeping and/or being a nanny. Lolita was always known for her hard work ethic that kept her young at heart and mind.

She first came to the United States working as a nanny in the Atlanta, Georgia area caring for the children of a Filipino business owner. She loved these children as her own and had many fond memories of them. She missed her family and the Philippines, so she went back after five years, not to return until her marriage to Paul Wagner of Elma, NY years later. This marriage led her and Paul from Elma, NY to Denver, Co and eventually to Santa Fe, NM. She called Santa Fe her home until 1998 when she moved to Roswell, NM to become a nanny to Jennifer, Christa, Rebecca, Billy, Stephanie, Micaela, Michael and Katherine Kolker. Lolita resided in Roswell with “her kids” until August of 2015 moving to the Albuquerque area and eventually settling in Bernalillo, NM, where she passed on January 31, 2025 after a long hard-fought battle with bladder cancer.

It was in Santa Fe, NM where she came face to face with the Gospel from the dedicated witness of the Temple Baptist Church members and Pastor Bill and Wanda Whitehead. Through this meeting of Sovereign intervention and the many prayers of her Christian relatives, the Loreto family of the Philippines, her first cousin, Linda Lacanilao of San Jose, CA, along with her parents, who prayed for many years for her salvation. The prayers were answered there in Santa Fe when Lolita gave up “religion” and accepted the gift of salvation provided through Jesus Christ. She eventually joined the church and began working as a Daycare aide, school cook, and all-around helper. The gracious and diligent staff of the church family patiently taught her skills to read, drive, bank and provide for herself. She then grew into a great student of the Word and witnessed others. “I don’t need anyone, I have Jesus!” she would say when telling others of her Friend of all friends, Jesus Christ. We know that, Lola; as she came to be called, is running down the streets of gold praising our Savior who greeted her with “Welcome Home my good and faithful servant!” The reunion with those family and friends who had gone on before must have been a wonderful and glorious sight to behold!

She enjoyed sewing, cooking and fellowshipping with friends at the Senior Center in Bernalillo, playing bingo or helping with food distribution. She loved being involved in churches wherever she lived; Santa Fe: Temple Baptist and Santa Fe Baptist, Roswell Baptist, and Gospel Light Baptist in Rio Rancho.

The Inventor and Wagner family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jay Bishop who cared diligently for her during her cancer battle, the El Pueblo Health Services Staff, Bosque Trails Hospice Care for all the guidance, care and professionalism provided. Loretta, Camille, Annete and Genet for the relief and friendship provided in the care during her last days.

Lolita Wagner’s internment will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Whitehead family burial placements at South Park Cemetery in Roswell NM. William “Bill” Kolker will be the officiating minister celebrating her life. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be given to the Gospel Light Missions Program in her name.