Ruth Wilson

Ruth Evelyn Murphy Wilson completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 and went home to be with her Lord. A Memorial service celebrating her life is scheduled for Monday, August 13, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler, with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. The family will greet friends in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Ruth was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on May 2, 1923, to Birdie Graves Murphy and Archie DeKalb Murphy. She attended El Dorado public schools and graduated from Hendrix College in Conway Arkansas where she served as Student Body President. She returned to El Dorado and worked with her dad in his title and guaranty company. She later earned her certification as a Director of Christian Education from the Union Presbyterian Seminary of Richmond, Virginia and served as Director of Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado. She met the love of her life, John Carr Wilson and they we married on June 5, 1947. They met on a blind date and were proud to have recently celebrated their 65th year of marriage. John and Ruth lived in El Dorado, Arkansas the first part of their married life where they raised their family. In 1979, they moved to Longview where John continued his career with Murphy Furniture. Ruth was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and unselfishly gave of her time and talents to serving as Elder and on numerous committees. In 2003, John and Ruth moved to Tyler to enjoy retirement near their family. Ruth loved her involvement at First Presbyterian Church of Tyler and cherished the garnered friendships within the church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Birdie and Archie Murphy; brothers, Allen Murphy and Bill Murphy and sister-in-law, Jackie Murphy. She is survived by her devoted husband, John Carr Wilson; son, John Carr Wilson, III and his wife Debra Leff of Austin; daughters, Ginny Mattox of Tyler, Melissa Paschold and husband Larry of Carlock, Illinois and Susan Davis and husband Robert of Tyler. She leaves a wonderful legacy to her ten grandchildren; Charlie (Mandy) Mattox, Elizabeth Murphy, Will (Margaret) Mattox, Macon Carrington, Bryce Paschold, Jake Leff-Wilson, Allison Paschold, Neil Leff-Wilson, Casey Davis and Courtney Davis. She will be greatly missed by her family and a host of friends who were the beneficiary of her kindness and sincere gestures of love. Whether you knew her as Ruth, Nana, Aunt Ruth or Mom, she endeared herself to everyone. Her life energies were spent in complete devotion to her family. She had friends of three generations, young and old, that loved her and will miss her beautiful smile. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 230 West Rusk St., Tyler, TX. 75701, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Gifts for Haiti Fund, 4110 Sinclair, Austin, TX. 78756, or the Haiti Education Fund, P.O. Box 10775, El Dorado, AR. 75730.

Ruth Wilson

May 5, 1923 - August 8, 2012