Ella Mae Wilson

Ella Mae Wilson was born in Holland, MO on June 8th 1926. She passed away in Owensville, MO on April 4, 2015. Ella was the eldest child of Calvin Alfred Edwards and Eva Sarah Smith Edwards. On February 7, 1945 she married Leon Mason in Pemiscot County, MO. She later divorced and then married Erby Ulysses Wilson on August 21, 1947 in Mississippi County, AR.

Ella and Erby moved to Orosi, CA in 1957. He eventually took over his parent's lawn gardening business. They served the Orosi, Sultana, and Dinuba communities with their lawn gardening services until 1969. Then in 1981 they moved to AR. Due to Erby's failing health, they moved to Olivehurst, CA in 1984. During this time they worked side by side as they raised their children and at times some of their grandchildren. They dedicated their life to raising their children and to their work. Later in their life they both dedicated their life to God and attended church on a regular basis.

Erby Wilson passed away in 1990 and Ella lived alone until 2009 when she moved back to her home state, MO. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007 and soon required 24 hour care. Realizing she needed full time medical care she was placed in Autumn Meadows' Alzheimer's Unit in Linn, MO. In 2014 she was moved to Frene Valley Healthcare Center in Owensville, MO where her daughter was employed.

Ella is survived by two brothers Barney Edwards of Okeechobee, FL; Fred Edwards of Jonesboro, AR and her sister, Glenda Nelson of GA. Children: Sherlene Haden of Dinuba, CA; Barbery (Joe) Carter of Fresno, CA; Jenetta Britt of Olivehurst, CA; Melvina (Dave) Hobbs of Belle, MO; Linda (Ron) Hurst of North Highlands, CA; Fran (Jerry) Russell of Marlow, OK; Jerry (Karen) Wilson of Olivehurst, CA; Denise (Randy) Freeman of Little Rock, AR; Mary (Rodney) Ladd of Yuba City, CA. She is also survived by 32 Grandchildren, 70 Great Grandchildren, and 35 Great Great Grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, spouse Erby Wilson, one brother William T. Edwards, two sisters Eunice Edwards, and Effie Edwards Owens. Children: Edna Sue McCracken and Phyllis Ruth Brown. Grandchildren: Carolyn Sue Brisher, Barbery Ann Dugan, Michelle Elizabeth Dugan, Kim Regina Anderson, and Gordan Ray Freeman, Jr. Great-Great Grandchildren: Xavier Levi Killian, and Noah Benjamin Leal.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba, CA with a Funeral Service being held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. at Dopkins Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Martin officiating.

Interment will follow in the Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to: The Family of Ella Mae Wilson.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel in Linn, Missouri and Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba, California.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.mortonchapel.com