Thelma Wilson

Thelma Wilson, 81, passed away on September 1, 2023. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Hood Street Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, with Leon Ivory officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas. There will be a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel in Waco.

Thelma Wilson Sunrise 11-2-1941 Sunset 9-1-2023

Thelma was born November 2, 1941, to Leodis Jefferson and Francis Smith Bell in Natchez, Mississippi. Thelma's early occupations started off at ITT Bakery in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She then relocated to Waco, Texas, where she continued her employment journey at Data Point in Waco Texas. Thelma decided to leap out on faith and try something different, and after 35 years of service as a Machine Operator was honorably retired from M&M Mars.

Thelma is preceded in death by parents, Francis Smith Bell, and Leodis Jefferson; her ex-husband, Milton Wilson; her son, Paul Wilson Sr; her twin sister, Velma McCoy; brother, Charles Bell (Winola Bell); and Gary Glendale Bell.

Thelma is survived by her children, Gerinda Wilson, Derinda Davis (Tony Davis), Felicia Johnson (Terrell Johnson), Cynthia Bilton (Roderick Bilton), Chris Wilson (Marcia Wilson); her grandchildren, Johniell Wilson (Jamaica Wilson), Kriss Wilson, Jeremy Wilson, Monique Wilson, Sykora Wilson-Sanders (Andre Sanders), Rafael Wilson (Leah Wilson), Marshae Wilson, Tyrell Benson, Eboni Wright (Brian Wright), Toddrick Heslip, Paul Wilson Jr (Brittney), Byron Alexander, Teressa Wilson, Destiny Wilson, Mesha Daniels, Tyanni Johnson, Damion Wilson, Devon Wilson, Terra Johnson, Jalen Wilson; her 47 great-grandchildren; her 5, great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Willie Buddy Bell (Theo), Patricia Tootsie Arbuthnot, Louis J. Bell (Brenda), Sandy Toney, Rickey Don Toney, James Bell (Charlestine), Arthur Doug Bell Sr (Beatrice); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers include Kriss Wilson, Rafael Wilson, Tyrell Benson, Toddrick Heslip, Paul Wilson Jr, Byron Alexander, Damion Wilson, Devon Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers are, Johniell Wilson, Jeremy Wilson, Jalen Wilson, Terrell Johnson, Andre Sanders, Brian Wright, Ruben German, Rashad Wright.

Special Thanks to her Heroic care giver, Eboni Wright, who was always available to her each and every day, and her godson James Reason (Lorraine) for always being a phone call away and had her spoiled, which she appreciated very much.

Poems and Letters:

Death leaves a memory that no one can heal. Life leaves a memory that no one can steal. I love and will miss you dearly Dia. -Sykora-

A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes, we're together again. -Gerinda (Big Girl)-

Hey Dia, it's me Felicia. It's been hard, hard, hard for me since Sept 1, 2023. I know one thing is for sure, I'm going to miss the out to eats, vacations, road trips, hanging out on my back patio, shopping, arguing and making up over small things. I will miss taking care of you all around. I am saddened that I had to lose my Friend, Road-dog, Supporter and Co-Pilot because "Dia" we know I am the Pilot lol! Dia, you were truly the best thing that happened to me. You will always be missed but NEVER Forgotten. -Felicia-

To my Queen, I remember that day over, over, over, over again when I visited you and you told me that you wanted me to know that you love me so, so, much and I told you that I LOVE YOU MORE, more than you would EVER know. You will truly be missed my Queen. -Derinda (Little Girl)-

Letter to My Grandma in Heaven. They say there is a reason, they say time will heal; Neither time nor reason will change the way I feel. Gone are the days we used to share, but in my Heart, you are always there. The gates of memories will never close; I miss you more than anybody knows… I love and miss you every day, ‘til we meet again ALWAYS & FOREVER. -Eboni, Paislei, Paris-

-A Much Loved Grandma -

The day that God called your name, It broke my heart int two

But Heaven needed an Angel, And the one he picked was you

I just wish he could have waited, And let you stay with me

But you have left memories in my heart, And that's where they"ll be

I just wish I could rewind the clock, Or make it turn real slow

I could have hugged you one more time, Before you had to go

No matter how much time will pass, I'll miss you everyday

Keep shinning bright in Heaven, So you can light our way

-We Love you Dia, Gone But Never Forgotten your Grandchildren-

Psalms 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.