Patricia Anita Wilson

Jesus and the angelic choir in heaven received Patricia Anita (Mathews) Wilson, age 74, into their arms on Saturday, November 8, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo Van Mathews, Sr., and Martha H. (Popay) Mathews and two younger sisters, Barbara Ann Mathews and Theresa Ann Mathews, as well as both her maternal and paternal grandparents and her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 56-1/2 years, Richard E. Wilson, Sr., their son, Richard E. "Zack" Wilson, Jr., and daughter-in-love Sandra Michelle (Hagan) Wilson of Frisco TX, along with 3 grandchildren and their spouses and 5 great-grandchildren all of Frisco TX, many brothers and sisters on both sides of the family including: Mathews side: Marie Elaine (Mathews) Smith of Diamond Head MS (husband Rene C. Smith), Leo Van Mathews, Jr. of Saint Rose, LA (wife Cora Mathews), Kennith William Mathews of Houston TX ; Wilson side: Stephen Ray Wilson of Hopkinsville KY (wife Gay), Deborah Joan (Wilson) Addy of Decatur MS (husband Michael), Timothy Wayne Wilson of White Salmon WA (wife Diana), Neita Faye (Wilson) Lindholm of San Antonio TX (husband Ron), Jamie Lou (Wilson) Burnett of Hewitt TX (husband Joel), Lori Annette (Wilson) Eickenloff of Belton TX (husband Curtis), Mark Antony Wilson of Middlebrook AL (wife Michele); and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as scores of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Patricia was born in New Orleans, LA, grew up in the Irish Channel, attended Laurel Elementary School, Sophie B. Wright Junior High School and Alcee Fortier High School where she graduated tops in her class. She was awarded many honors and trophies for excellence in mathematics and academics as well as in Home Economics. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Fraternity. She graduated Summa Cum Laud with a BS in Mathematics from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) in Pineville, LA in May 1974. She also successfully completed all the required additional graduate hours in Mathematics and Accounting to be able to sit for the CPA examination, which she passed on her first attempt; all portions of the exam (with flying colors).

Patricia served as Accountant and Cash Flow manager for Entergy Corporation until her retirement from there in 1995. She also served as Bookkeeper and Accountant for Geophysical Databanks, Inc. of New Orleans; as well as accountant for Southeast Food Distributors in Harahan, LA. Before working at Geophysical Databanks, she taught High School and Junior High School Math at Alexandria Country Day in Alexandria, LA. Patricia also served as Pastor's wife in three (3) churches, New Hope Baptist Church, Gulfport MS, Stevendale Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA; and the church Baruch Assembly in Kenner LA which she and her husband founded. She and her husband remained inactive members of Celebration Church, Metairie and Covenant Church, Destrehan, LA. Before becoming an e-attender of Living Word Christian Center of Forest Park IL, they regularly attended First Baptist Church New Orleans.

Patricia was a strong, self-directed person with strong faith and convictions. Her zeal for studying God's Word spilled over into every area of the life she shared with her husband. They had been high school sweethearts for 2-1/2 years before they married at First Baptist Church when it was on St. Charles Ave., in New Orleans. They married on Saturday after her high school graduation on the previous Thursday, and honeymooned in Pensacola FL. Moving to Pineville LA after having lived all her life in New Orleans was a big challenge for her, but she made the most of it and made a successful marriage and home. Their son was born on a Thursday night in Alexandria, and on the next Monday morning, Patricia was back in class as if nothing had happened. She was like that in so many ways. Her greatest achievements, at least in her mind, were her marriage, the birth and success of their son, his marriage, and having grandchildren and then great grandchildren – her choice of titles was "Nana" and she lived every moment in the hope and expectation of being with them and enjoying them every day.

Patricia loved music, especially singing. She would sing, "Joy to the World" and "O Come Let us Adore Him" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" every morning before she and her husband read the Bible together and prayed and made their morning confessions for the day. Sometimes during the day, her husband recalls, she would burst out in song in the den while watching or re-watching a worship service on TV, or just because she wanted to. Her singing filled the house with joy. "That is the one thing, other than the touch of her soft, smooth hands, that I miss the most," declared her husband, Richard.

Among her fondest memories, she loved to recount family vacations at Six Flags and Astroworld and Disney World, vacations with her husband and son. She enjoyed crafts, especially with her grandchildren and baking cookies with them. She also loved sewing when her eyes were still strong and could see well. She was an avid Bible reader and circled words, phrases, and made notes all through her Bibles. At her request, there will be no memorial services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Louisiana Christian University, 1140 College Dr., Pineville, LA 71360.