Mary J Wilson

Mary Jean Wilson was born April 10, 1934 in Norton, Virginia to Pauline Pocahontus Bolling. Her mother married Henry Wesley Yarnell when Mary was four years old. Through this union Mary gained three sisters and one brother that she loved deeply; Martha, Rachel, Betty and Jim. Mary cared for them with a "mother's love" and that bond remains to this day. Attending Knoxville High School, at the age of 17 she met and married FC Sergeant William (Bill) Raye Daye. Kathryn (Kathy), her first child was born to this union. Mary and Kathy had the opportunity to travel and experience life in Germany where Mary's husband was stationed. For a Virginia "small town" girl this was a "chance in a lifetime" to have a maid, and experience a request by an artist for a painted portrait. He stated, "you are beautiful". Mary returned to Knoxville, Tennessee where her son, William Raye (Bill) was born. When Sergeant Daye returned to the states they settled in Ft. Riley, Kansas. Mary was blessed with their third child, Cynthia Gail. As Mary's family grew with the expectancy of a fourth child, she moved back to Knoxville, Tennessee for assistance and support from her family. Carol Marie was added to the family, and it was complete. Mary's determination and faith sustained her through difficult and challenging times. To provide for her growing family she continued her education in secretarial school providing her a placement at the Ford Glass Plant in Knoxville. She met and married Gene Blackwood, moving to Kansas with her three daughters and son. This marriage was absolved. In 1967, she met and married George W. Wilson. She and her family moved to Kansas City, Kansas. While living there she had the opportunity to obtain her GED, drivers license, and purchase her first home located on Strawberry Hill. She was familiar with "hard work" and maintained employment as an Avon consultant, a janitor for a dental supply firm and assisting her husband, George, with his Refuse business. She enjoyed her dogs Jeannie and Fluffy, fishing, baking for many events, neighbors and family. She was especially well known for her homemade bread, polish specialty povatica, lemon meringue pie, chicken and dumplings and biscuits. Her church was a great source of strength and support during challenging times. To her great enjoyment, she had the opportunity to attend a reunion in Tennessee with her siblings: Martha, Rachel, Betty and Jim. Upon the passing of her husband, she moved to Downs, Ks. to be closer to her family. Moving into Maple Grove apartments in the Downs community was a big step for Mary, but she embraced it bravely and lovingly. She enjoyed her employment as janitor for Dr. Specht DDS. assisting as a caretaker, volunteering for the Downs Red Cross for 12 years at the Golden Living Center and baking for banks, organizations and events. Many were the times a clinic, hospital or neighbor would enjoy her banana bread or cookies. She was known in Downs as the "cookie lady". Her love for animals was evident in her care of orphaned cats, dogs, and having her own fish and birds at numerous times throughout her life. Moving to Downs provided her the opportunity for her to own and once again drive a car. Her independence blossomed. She enjoyed the role of mother and grandmother attending her families activities. The postman mailed many packages (sealed with a whole roll of strapping tape) and envelopes sealed with love and filled with gum, special cinnamon-raisin bread made to each child's specifications, beef jerky and newspapers. She took great interest in starting and maintaining each family members coin collection. She enjoyed flying and would make several trips to Oklahoma, Michigan and Arizona to visit after the birth or special event of her children and grandchildren. She was known to say "she felt like a bird" when she was flying. Her grandchildren's art work displayed on her walls and carried in her purse would quickly become a source of conversation and pride. She found great fulfillment helping and assisting others. Her compassion was evident and shared daily even through challenging health constraints. If she couldn't visit the sick and infirm in the community she would call or send a card. This became especially important to her as her physical limitations broadened. Her faith in God took on a physical form in her church as she helped prepare for communion and potlucks, baking once again many of her famous cookies. Serving and encouraging were her gifts and she embraced them lovingly. Every day she was known to faithfully pray for each of her children and grandchildren careful to speak them out each by name. Her favorite song, "Does Jesus Care?", was her life's stalwart. "Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares…" Mary had the exciting opportunity to celebrate her 80th birthday with an open house hosted by her four children, Kathy, Bill, Cindy and Carol. She animatingly shared and sang surrounded by her loved ones. Some of her siblings were able to visit her and share memories just days prior to her death. Mary went to be with her Savior July 15th surrounded by her loved ones. Her smile will be missed but her legacy of Christ's love and caring to her children, grandchildren and her community, will last for eternity.

The celebration of her life service will be August 2, 2014, 11:00, First Christian Church, Downs, Ks. Burial will take place at the East Dispatch Cemetery. Memorials may be given to The Golden Living Center, Downs, Ks. or the Downs Womens Red Cross Chapter, Downs, Ks.