Mary Wilson, 88, went home to be with the lord on August 18, 2025 after a extended illness.

Born on August 18, 1937, in Iredell County, N.C., she was the daughter of late Heziakiah and Katie Cowan Garner. She was a loving and caring mother, and she adored her grandchildren and great grands. Mary loved to spend time with family, cooking, and doing puzzles. Mary retired from Carolina Mills, and then worked in the school system until her second retirement.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Howard Garner, Willie Garner, John William Garner, Thelma Garner Mills, Ivory Lewis Garner, Norman Garmer, Izula Sloan, and Bettie Garner.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Elaine Rankin, Faye Holbrook (Louis), Wanda Steele, Andrea Houston (Melvin), and Demetra Saddler (Ricky); grandchildren, Nicole Phifer (Decarlo), Ninya Spencer (Greg), Larmarr Rankin (Jasma), Robert Holbrook (Adrienne), Whitney Steele, Quintin Houston, Devin Saddler, Cedric Steele, Quaylin Houston, Tavion Saddler, Aaliyah Jackson, and Alisha Brandon; and great grandchildren; Kaleel Hooper, Zoe Holbrook, Jastin Ikard, Willow Rankin, Blaizen Boler, Keon Saddler. Extended family includes Jehan Carr (Dewon), Melissa Vinson, Shawnte Heilig, Tywanda Heilig, Claudia Heilig, and Jessica Heilig. Also surviving are her sister, Bertha Davidson; sisters-in-law Jesse White and Amanda (Charles); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Celebration of Life will be held at Antioch Baptist Church on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Pastor Lackey will deliver the eulogy, and burial will follow in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery in Cleveland, N.C.

Visit the book of memories for Mary Francis Garner Wilson at www.rutledgeandbighamfuneralhome.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Mortuary is serving the Wilson family.