Funeral services for Betty Jo Garrett Wilson, 84, of Greenville were held Monday at First Baptist Church, Greenville. She died Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Burial was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Mrs. Wilson was born the 24th day of June, 1930. She was the seventh daughter of Davis and Gertrude Garrett. Betty Jo (or “BJ” as her grandchildren lovingly referred to her) graduated from E. E. Bass High School in 1948 and married David Chester Wilson in 1949, a union that lasted 59 years. She was a wonderful and loving mother to her four boys whom she treasured.
Throughout her life, BJ belonged to various clubs and volunteer community groups. She was one of the first female Realtors in the state of Mississippi and she and her husband owned their own agency. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed “bleacher activites” with her four boys. She also loved golf for her personal sport. She and close friends enjoyed full days of golfing at the Greenville Country Club. Many a Sunday afternoon was spent playing “Arkanas golf” with her large family ofter gathered at her sister Pauline’s home on the banks of Lake Ferguson. BJ was also an avid MSU Bulldog fan spending hours listening and watching the Bulldogs play.
BJ was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Greenville where she played an active role in the Seeker’s Sunday School Class and at times sang for her class. She loved her church, the Lord and her family. She loved her eight sisters and brother and their families. Together they shared a very special bond and delighted in each other. Her quick wit and loving heart will be sorely missed by all.
BJ was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Dr. Davis Garland Garrett, sisters Jewell Garrett Hess, Louise Lee Magers, Pauline Newton Thornton, Mary D. Satchfield Nesbitt, Annie Grace Riley, and Ruth Garrett Williams.
She is survived by her sons and their families, David Wilson (Denise) of Madison, Gregory Wilson (Teresa) of Overland Park, KS, Kirk Wilson (Gretchen) of Dallas, and Lance Wilson (Jennifer) of Madison; grandchildren, David Wilson (Carmelita) of Spanish Fort, AL, Christina Polk (Taylor) of Madison, Garret Wilson (Blake), Chet Wilson and Zachary Wilson all of Dallas and Jennifer Hayes Wilson and Reagan Wilson of Madison, and great-grandchildren, Banks and Leigh Wilson Polk of Madison.