Billie Sue McNeil Wilson, 91, of Monticello, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 20, 2023 at Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello. She was born June 5, 1932 in Natchez, Miss., daughter of the late John C. McNeil and Wilma Lorene Kimberlin McNeil.
Mrs. Wilson was educated in Washington and Natchez, Miss. as well as Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated in 1951 from Natchez High School where she met her husband to be, Benny Jack Wilson. They married in 1952.
She was foremost a wife, mother, and homemaker. Her other employments were Kress's Department Store, Armstrong Tire and Rubber, Dorothy Harrison Dance Studio, Shepherd and Blossom Shop Florist. She was a member of Faith Community Church formerly known as Good Faith Carr UMC. She was awarded the UMW service pin, was a UMW president for three years, church board member for 15 years, served as secretary, church historian, and active in many church bazaars.
In her early life she was a member of Lovely Lane Methodist Church. She and her family helped lay bricks for the new church. This talented lady sewed clothing, cheerleading/majorette uniforms and costumes, Barbie doll clothing. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, paper mâché, canning, painting, refinishing furniture, gardening, and many other crafts. She also expansively researched and recorded family genealogy. She volunteered, supported, and attended each activity her husband and four children were in. She was a caring and good listener to friends and family. She could go from the freezer to the table with a meal for a crowd. Her hands were always working for family, friends, church, and occasionally her own enjoyment. She enjoyed many vacations, camping and fishing at Lake Ouachita. She was often teased for having her picture made with Don Ho in Hawaii and wearing an odd umbrella fishing hat. She enjoyed decorating with over 1000 Santa's at Christmas. She had a place for everything and believed in keeping it there and wasted nothing!
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Benny Jack Wilson, her sister, Barbara Ann McNeil Mingee, and three brothers, John C. McNeil, Jr., Henry McNeil and George T. McNeil.
She is survived by her sons, Rick (Cam) Wilson of Monticello; Steve (Sheila) Wilson of Mansfield, La.; daughters, Dalene (Mike) of Monticello; Jackie (Mark) Garner of Grapevine. She is also survived by eight grandchildren April Silvey, Casey (Sarah) Stephenson, Seth (Candice) Wilson, Carrie (Stephen) Gray, Stephanie (Brandon) Whann, Josh (Lauren) Garner, Sara Beth (Tyler) Wells, Matt (Amanda) Garner. She was also blessed with 20 great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers are Casey Stephenson, Seth Wilson, Josh Garner, Matt Garner, Tyler Wells, Brandon Whann and nephew, John McNeil.
A special thanks and love to her friends Pam, Vernell, Andrea, Carla and all the loving employees at Grand Manor.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Lori Fallon officiating. There was a visitation from 1-2 p.m. preceding the funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens in Pine Bluff.
