Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Sparks Wilson went home to the Lord on February 15, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Robert Daphney Wilson (deceased November 6, 2014), and her daughter, Barbara Ann Wilson (deceased October 3, 2011).

Elizabeth was born November 24, 1925, in Ashland, Alabama to J.E. Sparks and Bertha Hassell Sparks. She was the 5th of eight children. Her siblings were Mary Lucille Sparks Ray, Chiers Mozelle Sparks Smith, Grace Christine Sparks Harrelson, Sarah Nell Sparks Butts, Annie Marion Sparks Riley, Billy Arnold Sparks, and Ruth Nadine Sparks Farr. Elizabeth and her siblings grew up in the Shiloh community in Clay County, Alabama where they lived on the family farm. She graduated from Clay County High School in 1946. She met her husband Bob while working as a telephone operator in Alexander City, Alabama, and they were married in Atlanta, Georgia on September 9, 1948. They soon moved back to Bob’s hometown of Monticello, Arkansas, where their daughter, Barbara, was born. The family later moved to Texas where they lived for short periods of time in Jasper and Galveston. They moved to the Houston Heights in 1951, where their second daughter, Rebecca, was born in 1955. Bob opened an automobile repair shop on Yale Street in the Heights, which he operated for more than 50 years. The family lived in Oak Forest, where Elizabeth was exclusively a homemaker until 1972, when she used her talent for floral design and avid love for gardening for Cornelius Nurseries. She loved her job and became a Master Gardener, and she worked for Cornelius Nurseries until she reluctantly retired at age 85. Elizabeth’s forthright attitude and humor endeared her to her many friends, and she will be remembered for her fearless spirit.

Elizabeth is survived by her sisters, Marion Riley of Alexander City Alabama, and Ruth Farr of Sylacauga, Alabama; and by her daughter, Rebecca Jane Wilson Turner, and son-in-law, Nick Turner, of Houston. Elizabeth leaves four grandchildren: Andrew Garett Turner (married to Margarita Posadas), Allison Kendall Turner (married to Matthew Knox), Ashley Elizabeth Turner (married to Bryan Van de Steene); and Anthony Reid Turner.

Elizabeth lived a long and happy life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. She will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Turner, Allison Turner, Ashley Turner, Reid Turner, Nick Turner, Gary Kelley, James Knight, and Matthew Knox.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to the American Heart Association.