Mary Ann Wilson

Mary Ann Wilson, age 72, of Hot Springs, died Friday, June 8, 2007.

She was born on January 30, 1935 near Pine Bluff, the daughter of Tony E. and Effie Rankin. On December 4, 1954, she was married to Merlin D. Wilson. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, John Rankin, Thomas Rankin, and Tony Rankin, Jr.; and two sisters, Betty Thiele and Nancy Sowerheaver.

She was a member of the Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church where she was active in the choir and family trio consisting of herself, husband and daughter. She was known as a very accomplished seamstress, hairdresser and cake decorator. She also loved gardening.

She is survived by her husband, Merlin D. Wilson of Hot Springs; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Daphna and Glenn Ellis, Darlene and Bobby Castleberry, and Terri Holcomb all of Hot Springs, and Dianne and Raymond Dupree of Martinsville, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Misty Cheek, Crystal Sanford, Aimee Castleberry, Alisha Castleberry, and Heather Holcomb all of Hot Springs, Merisa Cothern and Bethanie Cothern both of Martinsville, Indiana, and Brandon Holcomb of Veevay, Indiana; three great-grandchildren, Brianne Sanford, Alex Cheek and Gracy Sanford; two brothers, Sam Rankin and James Rankin of Dardanelle; three sisters, Lois Nichols of Houston, Texas, Gladys Spakes of Apex, North Carolina, and Janice Poindexter of Brandon, Florida; and her beloved friend, Joy Sanders of Hot Springs.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, June 11, 2007 in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs with Rev. Greg Epley, Rev. Russell Lormand and Rev. Laman Wilson officiating.

Visitation will be Sunday, 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.

Interment will be in Crestview Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Memorials may be made to The Caring Place, 101 Quapaw, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 or Alzheimer’s Association, 411 South Victory, Suite 202, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.

Pallbearers will be Milton Yeaman, Ferrell Boman, Jerry Padgett, Oscar Anzaldua, Bruce Osborn, and John Digby.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joy Sanders, Clifton Coleman, Sr., Freddie Fikes, the staff and participants of The Caring Place, Jimmy Epley and members of the Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church, and Odyssey Health Care.

Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.