Mrs. Mary Virginia Armand Wilson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mary Virginia Armand Wilson passed away on June 27, 2022, in Roswell, Georgia, at the age of 85. She was the second of five children born to Alfred Armand and Veronica Battle Armand in Houston, Texas. She was raised in the Heights and Bellaire neighborhoods of Houston. Virginia graduated high school from St. Agnes Academy (Class of 1954) and later received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Loyola University New Orleans (Class of 1958). During college summer break in 1955, Virginia met the love of her life, Paul Bradley Wilson, at Carnation Milk Company, where she was interning. They dated for many years, eventually marrying in February 1959, after both had graduated from college. They settled in Houston, TX and soon had sons, Jim and Brad. In 1968, they moved to Atlanta, GA where Paul began his career with The Coca-Cola Company. They would add two more children while in Atlanta - Jenny and Craig. They returned to Houston in 1988 where Paul then joined Coca-Cola Foods until his retirement in 1996. Virginia was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 1995 and did well for several years before MD Anderson recommended a stem cell transplant. Her sister, Adelaide, proved to be a perfect match. The transplant was successful for eight years, while the remainder of her years were spent in and out of remission. Throughout it all, Virginia always maintained a positive outlook on life. In August 2021, Paul and Virginia moved back to Georgia to be near Jim, Brad, and Jenny. Virginia was a devoted Catholic, praying frequently for her family and intentions of any others who needed prayers. She always wanted to time her prayers (along with a recitation of the rosary) with the specific hour of the intended’s needs, be it an academic test, medical procedure, or airline flight. She was a truly selfless human being and will be dearly missed by family and friends. But when times were tough, Virginia always reminded us, "This, too, shall pass." She was preceded in death by her son, Craig, and siblings Carol Dobecka, Patrick Armand, and Adelaide DeBow. She is survived by her loving husband, Paul Wilson, three children, Jim Wilson, Brad Wilson (Kathy), and Jenny Wilson Roark (Stephen), eight grandchildren, Michelle, Rachel, Taylor, Rebecca, Thomas, Trinity, Paul and Veronica, and her sister Loretta Armand, SHSp. The family gratefully acknowledge the medical staff at M. D. Anderson in the Leukemia Department, particularly Dr. Michael Keating, Dr. Philip Thompson, and PA Alice Lynn, who expertly managed her care for 26 years in Texas, and to Dr. Ajay Tadepalli and the staff at Emory Winship Cancer Institute for the care and support she received in Georgia. The family celebrated her life with a private mass on July 1, 2022, and a private burial will be delayed to a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Virginia Wilson’s name to: Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, 300 Yucca St., San Antonio, TX 78203 (www.shsp.org) or the charity of your choice.

Mrs. Mary Virginia Armand Wilson

July 18, 1936 - June 27, 2022