Bobbie Hayes Wilson

Our beloved mother, Bobbie Ann Hayes Wilson, passed away early on Christmas morning. She was as fine a Christian as we ever knew, so passing on Jesus’ birthday seems fitting for her. Bobbie was an elementary school teacher in Duval County mostly at Arlington Heights Elementary School and taught Bible Study Fellowship for many years. She was a long-time member of South Jacksonville Baptist Church. She was born and raised in Arlington, Georgia, but lived in the Jacksonville area since 1951.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donovan Lamar Wilson, to whom she was married for 54 years after meeting at Berry College in Rome, GA. After moving to Jacksonville, she completed her degree in Education and Home Economics at the University of Florida. She also was predeceased by her mother Mae Cook Lane, step-father C.M. Lane, father Henry Hayes, and sisters Betty Hayes Coffman (and brother-in-law, Jim) and Tommie Hayes Moreland (and her former brother-in-law, George).

She is survived by her three children and daughter-in-law, Kevin Lane Wilson and Donna Ann Wilson of Jacksonville and Keith McDonald Wilson and Mary Ann Albright Wilson of Charlotte, NC, her six grandchildren, Sean Richmond Wilson (and his wife Kristin), Kristen Meredith Wilson, and Lauren Michelle Wilson of Jacksonville and Kevin Joseph Wilson, Daniel Keith Wilson and Leigh Ann Wilson of Charlotte, NC and one great-grandchild, Merritt Wilson. She is also survived by her nieces and nephew Debi Coffman Schwab (and her husband David) of Kissimmee, Florida and George Moreland (and his wife Sarah) and Brenda Moreland of Leesburg, Georgia.

Bobbie loved her husband who passed in 2006. Their meeting at Berry College was eventful, as our father actually fell into her lap. The story goes he was playing basketball for Berry and she arrived late. As she quickly sat and waited for the action to clear on one side of the court so she could walk around, he chased a loose ball and landed in her lap.

Bobbie loved her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and shared that love with each of them. When not preparing lesson plans for her students or fellow bible study worshipers, she was avid about her crossword puzzles, sometimes completing three a day. She was involved with the church making arrangements when outreach to people was needed for sickness, funerals, and celebrations.

And, she was devoted to her mother and siblings before they passed before her. She often travelled to visit them during their times of need. She simply was a doer who helped others. As her memory faded, her ability to help others faded as well, although she was an active participant in events at the assisted living facility.