Maurice Russell Wilson

Maurice Russell Wilson was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, the 21st of October 2023. She was 92 years old. She died peacefully with her son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren by her side.

Maurice was born in Huntsville, Texas to Rev. Carl A. and Frankie W. Russell. She suffered severe hearing loss as a young child, but never allowed that to slow her down. Maurice was an educator and deeply valued education. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston in 1950 and went on to teach elementary school in Crosby, Corpus Christi and Fort Worth, Texas. Early in her teaching career, Spring Branch Independent School District requested Maurice obtain an advanced degree in Special Education to fulfill the growing needs of the Special Education field for the district. Determined to honor that request, she earned a Master’s degree from the University of Houston in 1964 by attending school during summer breaks while raising two young children, all with tremendous support from her mother and six siblings. She served in the special education classroom at Hunters Creek Elementary from 1957-1975. She then worked with the mentally and physically handicapped students at Landrum and Spring Forest Junior Highs until her retirement in 1991. Due to her efforts, the State of Texas appointed Maurice to a board for Special Education in 1990. For 39 years she had the joy and privilege of working with students who forever left an imprint on her heart.

While working towards the advanced degree, Maurice was introduced to her future husband, Robert Lee “Babe” Wilson, who taught her lip reading. Babe fell in love with this remarkable young woman and her children, and supported her efforts, as well as the entire hearing loss community.

She loved to travel the world with her friends and family, and was truly a fearless adventuress, determined to see the marvels of the world which she recalled listening to her parents discuss in the calm early mornings of their private “together moments”.

Due to the hearing loss she suffered as a young child, Maurice received her first hearing aid at the age of 13 years old. Her hearing aid was a big bag of batteries strapped to her leg, cords leading up to the amplifier that was strapped to her chest with cords leading up to her ears. She studied American Sign Language with her granddaughter, until she became an early recipient of the Cochlear implant in 1996. Suddenly, the sounds of the world that she had been missing for over 50 years were now again bringing amazement into her life. She heard birds chirping, and learned that every bird sings their own song. At 65 years of age, she embarked on a nearly 20-year journey all over the world serving the hearing loss community. This gave her tremendous joy and she devoted much time and energy advocating for others to receive the benefits of the device which was provided to Maurice. This community quickly became a family to her and one of the greatest gifts she leaves behind are her travel logs; written with exquisite detail of the sights seen along her journeys.

Maurice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee “Babe” Wilson; her daughter, Judy Maynard; her grandson, Jared Maynard; her parents, Carl and Frankie Russell; her brothers, Wilson Russell (Ernestine), John Russell (Mildred); her sisters, Elon Reichenau (Elgin), Mattie Pearson (Carrol), Carla Jones (Tom) and Frankie West Davis (Wayne/Otis); her nieces, Johann Turpin, Kay Ponder and Carla Nelson Tiner and her nephews John Lynn Russell, Dr. Greg West and Phillip West.

She is survived by her son, Russell Page (Anny); her son-in-law, William Maynard; her grandchildren, Kate Hall (Tony), Merideth Richards (Jay) and Thomas Maynard; her great-grandchildren, Blake Ball, Kameron Hall, Jake Richards, Ginny May Richards and Cannonball Richards; her nieces, Mada Hambrick, Geana Pfeiffer and Claudia Duke and nephews John Robin Russell Jr., Carl Russell and Charlie Seeley and numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Maurice from two o’clock until five o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 18th of November, in the Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family for a Celebration of Maurice’s Life at a venue to be announced during the memorial reception.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contribution is Maurice’s memory may be directed to, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), by visiting www.hearingloss.org, or JLCIF Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund, by visiting www.JLCIF.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Please designate gifts as tribute to Maurice Wilson as the person you are honoring.

Please visit Maurice’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.