Mr. Vernon Woodard Wilson

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Gadsden for Mr. Vernon Woodard Wilson, age 91, Gadsden, who passed away at his home on Saturday, February 20, 2010. The Rev. Bryan Blass will officiate. A graveside service will be held prior on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Nances Creek Cemetery in Piedmont, AL. Collier-Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Services directing.

Vernon served in the U.S. Army for five years during W.W. II, much of the time in Europe, and left the service as a staff sergeant. He was employed as a machinist at Anniston Army Depot for many years, retiring in 1973. Following his retirement, he worked for many years at Gadsden First Baptist Church, where he was widely known and loved for his servant heart. Hired as custodian, he took great joy in going far beyond what was required. His work in beautifying the grounds was a labor of love - -something not in his job description, and earned numerous beautification awards for the church. Vernon’s service to the church was clearly service for his Lord. This service included more than labor with his hands, but also with his voice. Singing in the church choir began for him shortly before his seventh birthday and continued for eighty years. When he praised the Lord with his voice, he brought blessing to worshipers in many places. Vernon’s joyous spirit showed itself in uncounted friendships, and is reflected in one of his favorite sayings: “The Lord has blessed me up one side and down the other!”

His parents, Vernon W. and Ida Stewart Wilson preceded him in death, as did his first wife, Edna Borden Wilson, mother of his children, and a sister, Laurene Caldwell.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Smith Wilson; one son, Mack Borden Wilson (Hope) of Birmingham; one daughter, Karen Wood (Jim), of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Tammy Wilson of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Wesley Denney and Jonathan Denny (Nicole) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Amanda Denney of Auburn; two sisters, Mary Mann of Brentwood, Tennessee and Christine Burttram of Gadsden; three stepdaughters, Rebecca Smith of Tucson, Arizona, Robin Smith of St. Louis, Missouri, and Norma Turk (Larry) of Appleton, Wisconsin; one great-grandchild, Hannah Grace Denney of Murfreesboro; one niece, seven nephews, and a host of cousins, great-nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gadsden or The Alzheimer’s Association.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Collier-Butler Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Condolences can be made at www.collier-butler.com