Myra Samford Wilson

Myra Samford Wilson died on April 8, 2024 at the age of 95. She was born on March 18, 1929, in Tampa. After the death of her father when Myra was 8, her mother struggled to support their family. Myra was an outstanding student and salutatorian of her 1947 graduating class from Hillsborough High School. She attended the University of Tampa on a scholarship but had to leave to support her mother, giving up her dream of becoming a doctor.

She married Leland Wilson in 1952 and moved to Jacksonville. She worked at Aetna Finance before becoming a homemaker and mother to three sons. She enjoyed needlework, quilting, and playing golf at Baymeadows Country Club. When her sons were older, she worked at the IRS and Baptist Towers, and used her earnings to build a mountain home in Waynesville, NC, where she and Leland spent many beautiful vacations during their retirement. She was a member of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, where she made many dear friends.

After her beloved Leland’s death in 2005, Myra continued to travel, go to the Symphony, and meet with friends as long as health allowed. She continued to live at her home in Lakewood until this year, when she moved to Bartram Lakes Assisted Living.

She was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Olivia, her parents Alfred B. and Blanche Samford, and her husband Leland Dave Wilson. She is survived by her sons David (Patty), Alan, and Robert (Brenda), her grandchildren Katrina, Audrey (Becky), and Derek (Kristen) Wilson, her step-granddaughter Rachel Higginbotham (Daniel), and great-grandchildren Zane and Kayleigh Higginbotham.

Memorial services will be held at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, on Monday, April 22, at 2:00pm. Burial will take place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations to Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.