Ava Wilson

Obituary

May 12, 1923 – March 25, 2020

Ava left family and friends to meet Jesus on March 25, 2020, at the age of 96 years. Ava is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Hayden Watson (whom she considered her son and had known Hayden since he was 8 yrs. old); her grandchildren Amanda and Matt Valentino, Emily and Zach Anderson, and Ross Watson; her five great-grandchildren Ava Valentino, Genevieve Valentino, Georgia Valentino, Sloane Anderson and Tatum Anderson; sisters-in-law Shirley (Mrs. Robert) Wilson, and Susianna Newsom Hale (Mrs. Adrian Newsom); many nephews, nieces, great nieces and great-nephews; and dear friend Karly Lowe.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles F. Wilson, with whom she shared 58 wonderful years of marriage, her parents Lewis M. and Susie Newsom, her brothers Cecil Newsom, L.D. Newsom, Adrian Newsom and Charlie Newsom.

Born in Marquez, Texas, on May 12, 1923, Ava was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was passionate about God, family, friends, church and community. She lived her life with an exuberance, compassion and a heart of service in all she did. Ava loved her early morning Bible reading time and Bible studies. She was blessed with the rare gift of encouragement, caring, loving, serving and making people feel they were special. She possessed a love and talent for cooking and sewing. There was always room for “one more” at Charles and Ava’s table and both were always ready with “open helping hands.” Ava was an exceptional loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sibling and daughter.

Ava graduated from Marquez High School in 1941. She was on the tennis team, softball team and cheerleading squad. Marquez was Ava’s special place and she loved being there. Over the years, Ava and Charles especially love spending time at their “Home Place” in Marquez and sharing it with grandchildren, family and friends. It was a wonderful time for playing board games and dominoes, sitting on the front porch, riding the tractor and driving Barbara and Charles’s hand-built hotrod.

After high school, Ava and her twin brother Adrian headed to Houston. They both attended American Business College. Soon after arriving in Houston, Ava met Charles, the love of her life. After she asked her friend, Katherine, “Who is that young man? Is he married?” Katherine answered, “No.” Ava immediately said, “Well, I’m going to marry him!” Little did she know that Charles was Katherine’s brother. After graduation and during WWII, Ava lived in Marquez and worked at The Jewett Bank in Jewett, TX. Upon Charles’s return from WWII in N. Africa and Italy, Ava and Charles were married in 1946 and moved to Houston. Barbara was born in 1949. Ava loved sewing beautiful baby things and pretty dresses for Barbara. She loved planting and caring for their garden of fresh produce.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Ava served as secretary to Pastor Jack Blackwell at Temple Oaks Baptist Church, Sunday School Secretary, Girls Auxiliary Leader, Youth Leader and Administrative Assistant of the Temple Oaks Baptist School, K-8 grade. Ava served as Board Trustee on the Temple Oaks Baptist School Board until the late 1980s. Much of Ava’s life was centered around education. Ava retired from the HISD School District in 1989, after beginning in 1968 at Montrose Elementary and later finishing at Benbrook Elementary.

In 1991, Ava and Charles moved to Shenandoah, TX. There, wonderful and fun days were filled with grandchildren, old friends, neighbors and friends. Ava volunteered at First Baptist of The Woodlands, The Woodlands Community Association, Interfaith, Shenandoah Civic Activities, Montgomery County Baylor Club and many other committees, groups and organizations. One of her proudest moments occurred when Baylor President Dr. David Garland bestowed the Baylor ABC Decree, (an “official” Baylor Alumni by Choice) upon Ava, on February 14, 2009. Especially dear was the fact that her grandson, Ross, a Baylor Student at the time, was in attendance along with her daughter and son-in-law. Ava, Ross and Barbara are all Baylor alumni.

Ava was dearly loved and appreciated by all her family and friends. She was a blessing and blessed the lives of all she met. Ava will be greatly missed and always remembered.

A Memorial Celebration of Ava’s Life will occur on a future date at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral and Cemetery located at 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, TX, 77384. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to First Baptist Church of The Woodlands.