Emma Stephens Wilson

December 31, 1910 - December 3, 2008

Emma Stephens Wilson Emma Simpson Stephens Wilson died on December 3, 2008 in Washington, GA. Mrs. Wilson was born in Atlanta on December 31, 1910, the daughter of Robert G. Stephens, Sr. and Lucy Evans Stephens. She graduated with honors from Girls High School in 1930 and from Wesleyan College in 1934. Mrs. Wilson worked as Assistant Director of the Voluntary Religious Association at the University of Georgia for four years and later as YWCA secretary at Miami University of Ohio. In 1943 she married the director of the YMCA, Lucian Clovis Wilson from Troy, Alabama. They lived and worked at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After her husband's death in 1961, Mrs. Wilson made her home with her parents in Washington and lovingly nursed them through their last days. Known for her deep love of animals, she was called upon to care for countless stray dogs and led in the founding of the Washington Animal Shelter. She was very active in the Washington Presbyterian Church. Many Washington children remember being treated to cookies—or a kitten—by "Miss Emma." Her nieces and nephews will never forget the effusive hugs and devoted attention of their aunt "Emmay." As her health failed and her mind dimmed, she never lost her bright smile and her appreciation for her caretakers and visitors. She continued to receive cards and letters from the friends she had made around the country. Besides her parents and her husband Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by a sister, Allie Stephens Reynolds and a brother, Robert G. Stephens, Jr. She is survived by her sister Ida Stephens Williams of Lawrenceville, her sister-in-law Grace Winston Stephens of Athens, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express thanks to those who cared for Mrs. Wilson in the last years of her life: Freddie Campbell, Cassie Carter, and Adair Wingfield of Washington, and the attentive members of the staffs at Winterville Retirement Center and at Quiet Oaks in Crawford. There will be a memorial service for Mrs. Wilson on Saturday, December 13, at Washington Presbyterian Church at noon. Anyone who wishes to make a memorial donation is asked to contribute to the Washington Animal Shelter.