A Visitation for the Family and Friends for Jerry will be held Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, followed by a Funeral Service at 3:00 PM.
Jerry was born in Columbus, Georgia, on September 26, 1944, the son of the late L.B. and Myrtle Mae Wilson. Jerry grew up in Jordan City with his three older brothers. He came from humble beginnings and spent his childhood at the Boy’s Club. He affectionately recounted stories of these days with a laugh and a smile, especially when talking about shooting pool and playing cards.
He was a lifelong Columbus, Georgia resident and a Jordan High School graduate. His senior year he went to work at Lonnie Smith Air Conditioning but in 1967, Jerry started his career long job at Coca-Cola. Although he started as a route man, he soon moved into a sales position and was eventually promoted to a sales supervisor. He received numerous awards as top salesman and was affectionately known all over Columbus as “The Coca-Cola Man”. He met many lifelong friends that became family and retired after 41 years of service. Even after retirement, he couldn’t leave his Coca-Cola family and continued to work part time for many years.
If you knew Jerry, you knew that he also had a love for golf. He taught himself how to play golf and like everything else, he was determined to be great at it! In fact, he loved golf so much that after retirement, he became a beloved Marshall at Bull Creek Golf Course where he once again made friends that became family. Jerry never met a stranger. His jokes and laughter will live on in our hearts. He will also be remembered as “Dawg Man” as a tribute to his love of his Georgia Bulldogs and he could not have been more proud to tell everyone that his grandson and his grandson’s wife recently graduated from the University of Georgia.
When Jerry was 13, he met a cute little red-head named Brenda Melvin at Columbus Junior High School. He pursued her for many years, until she finally said yes and married him in 1967. Jerry and Brenda were married for 48 years until she passed away in 2016. During their life together they had and are survived by their children, Jerry Wayne “Jay” Wilson, Jr., and Sheree Tolbert (Ty); and grandsons, Tyler Tolbert (Jennifer), Trenton Tolbert and Trae Tolbert. These grandsons were the light of their lives and they spent many years keeping them in their home and traveling wherever they were singing, playing and performing. He was so proud of his “boys” and would always play a video of them singing and playing instruments to anyone willing to stop and watch it. He also loved spending time with his little buddy Ethan Roper. His favorite title he was ever given was “Pop”.
Jerry was blessed to have found love again when he married Angela Rose Hudson Rhodes- Jones-Wilson in 2017. They had a loving, Godly marriage and enjoyed opening their home to family and friends where laughter abounded. Angela was a dedicated, loving wife who took such great care of Jerry during their marriage. Angela brought with her three daughters: Melissa Gibson (Jay Guillot), Melinda Boyett (Chris), and Milene Joyce (Richie); grandchildren, Hannah Peavy, Emmaleigh Peavy (Hayden Cooper), Gracie Gibson (Jaylin Brooks), Rebekah Faircloth (Andrew), Shelbey Pearson (Austin Stewart), Cole Pearson; great grandchildren, Travis Peavy, Jackson Peavy, Bella Peavy, Alissa Cooper, Mason Cooper, Madison Rose Cooper, Maddex Cooper, and Hunter Stewart. Jerry loved adding all of Angela’s daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren to the family and they affectionately referred to him as “Papa Jerry”. Angela and Jerry were dedicated and loved members of Kirkland Memorial Baptist Church.
Jerry is preceded in death by his brothers Travis Wilson and Truman Wilson. In addition to those listed above, Jerry is survived by his brother Luther Wilson (Judy) and his beloved sister-in-law Claudine Wilson. He’s also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, friends and family. We choose to remember the life of laughter that he lived. We will see you again Brother-In-Law!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Wilson family.
