Mary Alice Wilson

Mary Alice Wilson, 80, of Asheville, passed away on June 25, 2019 at Stone Creek Rehabilitation Center.

A Hendersonville native, Mrs. Wilson was the daughter of the late Clyde and Sarah Fetner. Following her passion for Jesus and children, she lived a life dedicated to missions and education. She earned her degree at Mars Hill College and taught elementary school for several years in Henderson County. After a big move to Texas with her husband, Mary Alice then focused her educational career on bilingual children while attending seminary, accomplishing a lifelong dream at a young age. Upon moving to Asheville, she helped create A Child’s Place for Mission and St. Joseph’s Hospital. She continued her career by becoming the Director of the First Baptist Church Child Development Center, where she worked until retirement.

Mary Alice gave her heart to the love of her life, the late Carter Eugene Wilson at age 24. They met by writing letters back and forth while he was stationed at Fort Wainwright Army Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. The pair tackled many journeys together such as seminary, ministering to many churches, and building a family. They eventually took on their biggest journey yet and became “house parents” to Craver Cottage at Mills Home in Thomasville, North Carolina. Together, they served the Baptist Children’s Homes for close to a decade, where many of the children came to consider them “mom and dad.”

Throughout Mary Alice’s life, she consistently went above and beyond for the Lord, her family, and her friends. Even as Mrs. Wilson’s health began to decline, she continued to volunteer, minister, and spread joy. She taught Early Childhood Development at Blue Ridge Community College and was the Activities Assistant at The Oaks Nursing Home. Closer to her passing, she enjoyed contributing to the development of a library at CarePartners PACE and lead church services at the Oaks when she could.

Mary Alice Wilson is survived by Jerri Wommack (Jeff), David Childers, Kimberly Jurney Childers; grandchildren, Mary Brantley Wilson Wommack, Wil Childers, and Madison Wommack. She is also survived by Doug Wilson and family, Dea Richter and her family, as well as her extended Wilson Family of Highlands, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 28, 2019 in the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Asheville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Steadfast House of Asheville (www.abccm.org/steadfast-house), where Mary Alice volunteered while a member of the PACE program.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.