Barbara Wilson passed away on November 24, 2023. She was born on August 21, 1931 in Bossier City, Louisiana and grew up in Longview, Texas. She met her husband, Journal E. Wilson (J.E.), as her next-door neighbor and they were married in 1953. They had two daughters, a son, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She was an outdoor girl who was much happier riding her horse than doing homework. After graduating high school, Barbara worked in a doctor’s office as an assistant until she was married. She was a stay at home mom until her children were older, and then returned to working in medical practices as a medical receptionist/secretary. Due to J.E.’s job, there were seven moves over the years, but Houston was their main home for many years. After J.E.’s retirement, they returned to Longview and spent their retirement years having fun with family, old friends, and new friends. She enjoyed any opportunity to travel.
While she wasn’t fond of Thanksgiving (too much food, too much work, and too many football games), Barbara LOVED everything related to Christmas! She decorated the house from top to bottom, so much so that there was little room to put toiletries on the bathroom counter or coffee cups on side tables. Barbara loved to host parties and always had the best treats. She was generous with gifts for everyone.
Her husband, J.E. passed away in 2009. Barbara, aka, Mom or Mimi, was loved and survived by her daughters, Diane Gilson (Skip Gilson, husband), Karen Beal (Greg Beal, Husband), son, Brad Wilson (Cindy Wilson, wife), grandchildren – Gregory Beal, Jr. (Megan Ryder Beal, wife), Brittany Grambling (Preston Grambling, husband), Jake Wilson, Sydney Wilson, and Michael Gilson. She is also survived by her great granddaughters, Madison Grambling and Caroline Grambling, and her sisters, Virginia Dudley and Annette Jones. She was loved and will be missed.
Barbara’s cause of death was dementia. This horrible disease affects memory, personality, the ability to care for herself, reasoning skills, and independence. She never lost her ability to compliment and encourage others.
Barbara spent the last years of her life at the Legacy at Long Meadow and the families are thankful for the care and love she received there. A Memorial Service for family and extended family will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Katy Funeral Home, located at 23350 Kingsland Boulevard in Katy, Texas.
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