Darla Arlene Wilson

Mrs. Darla Arlene Jackson Wilson, 84, of Robinwood Lane, Elberton, Ga., wife of 62 years to James 'Larry' Wilson, died peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2024 while surrounded by her family who were singing her favorite hymns.
Darla was born on Sept. 12, 1939, in Pueblo, Colo. where she was raised with her twin sister, Diane, and younger sister, Delaine. Her love of music developed at an early age having joined the Pueblo Orchestra at the age of 14. She earned her bachelors degree in music from the University of Colorado, graduating in 1961. Darla was first chair violinist of the University of Colorado Orchestra and currently a member of the Athens Symphony Orchestra. She loved sharing the gift of music via her violin talents. Throughout her life, she played the violin at many local weddings and special events. Darla also played the piano and gave piano lessons to many children including her granddaughters.
Darla was a member of First Baptist Church of Elberton where she taught Sunday school in the youth department for many years. She dedicated her life to teaching third grade and retired from Falling Creek Elementary School in Elberton after teaching her own granddaughter in 2001. Darla coached little league softball while her children were growing up. She loved watching the Atlanta Braves play baseball. In her free time, Darla enjoyed crocheting, flower gardening, watching the many hummingbirds that visited her well-stocked feeders and listening to birds of all kinds chirp while often identifying them. Darla also loved playing cards with her family and was a member of a women's bridge group for more than 40 years; four of whom played together just two weeks ago.
Darla was a devoted wife to the love of her life, Larry. They met at a First Baptist Church social in Pueblo where she attended church and he served in the Army. He impressed her so by diving off the high diving board. They modeled the perfect marriage and instilled the value of a Christ centered marriage to all of their family. Darla always put her family as the highest priority and planned 29 annual vacations for them. Above all, grandma, as she was lovingly called, was devoted to her family. She never missed an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren in any endeavor in which they were participating.
Along with her husband, she is survived by her children, Jeanne and Bill Harrison, of Cedar Grove, N.C., Kathy and Ronny Turner, of Elberton, and Kristi and Tony Burden, of Elberton; sister, Delaine Salt, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Ronald, Ryan and Abbey Turner, Lauren Lamb, Erica Burden and Rae Harrison; great-grandchildren, Kayin, Kaliyah, Cameryn, Abram and Isaiah and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William Kenneth Jackson and Donna Lenor Henderson Jackson; her identical twin sister, Diane Alene Jackson; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Frances Wilson; brother-in-law, Howard Bagwell; and her special friend and sister-in-law, Bobbie Wilson Bagwell.
The family received friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Berry Funeral Home.
Funeral services celebrating Darla's life were conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, March 11 at First Baptist Church of Elberton, with her lying in state beginning at 9 a.m.
Graveside services were conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, March 11 at Hayesville Baptist-Presbyterian Cemetery.
The Rev. Tim Adams officiated and Lauren Lamb, Ronald, Ryan and Ronny Turner, Tony Burden, and Bill Harrison served as pallbearers.
Flowers were accepted and contributions may be made in her memory to T.J. & Friends Foundation, PO Box 6161, Elberton, Ga. 30635.
Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton, Ga.: www.berryfh.com was respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Darla Arlene Jackson Wilson.