Robert Lawrence Wilson, Esq.

On being born, Robert told the story as a time when his mother had hoped she would give birth before her mother, a beloved midwife, arrived. He laughed when he told it, and there is no doubt that his sense of humor was solidified on the first day that God planted him in the world. He joined two older siblings, Vernon Wilson (Marcie) and (the late) Vivian Wilson, respectively. The coming years would bring three more children into the family: Carolyn (Barry) Myers, Donnie (Darlene) Wilson and Blake (Yvonne) Wilson. He loved to tell stories about growing up as a country boy in Mt. Moriah. He spoke of running across the field to visit his paternal grandparents and how Grandmother (as she was known) would always have something to give him, pie, cake or other treats. He told of the confidence his maternal grandmother had in him, and it is no doubt that her encouragement set his sights high in life. He loved his parents, Robert Junior Wilson and Carola Wilson, and he honored them until their respective passings. He held a special place in his heart for his aunt Maureen and his aunt Addie Sue. Well into his sixties, one of his favorite things about visiting the community where he grew up was going to church and sitting between the two of them.

Robert credited the one-room school-house model of his early education for making him an independent thinker and a good communicator. The older children would often help the younger ones with their lessons which modeled leadership and built strong bonds between the children. When he graduated from Peake High School as valedictorian of his class, he was well prepared to enter college at Ouachita Baptist University. While in college, he showed his resilience by working full time at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store where he was eventually promoted from bagging to cashier. He took pride in his work, and he worked with a dedication and a sincerity that would prove constant for the rest of his life. When he went on to the Army, finished law school at the University of Arkansas, joined the legal division at the Arkansas State Highway department, and when he was promoted to the head of that division, he still told stories of how he learned the hard knocks of work life from his days spent at the Piggly Wiggly.

After college, Robert made the wisest decision possible and married the love of his life, Hazel Sherman Wilson. He asked her to marry him after only two weeks of dating, proving just how smart he really was. Together they forged a life marked by their dedication to God and love for their three daughters: Robin (Christopher Manica) Wilson-Beattie, Regina Wilson, and Ravyn (Roy) Davis. He leaves behind three grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Luxe Beattie, Gideon Davis, and Elyza Davis. He was preceded in death by two grandcats, Garland and Buchi who taught him that not all cats are like barn cats.

Robert L. Wilson loved the Lord, he loved people, and he loved justice; he lived his life fully and completely with his eyes watching God until the Lord called him home.

Honorary pallbearers will be Vernon Wilson, Donnie Wilson, Blake Wilson, Jessie L. Newborn, Alvin S. Newburn, and James Sherman. Active pallbearers will be John Paul Wilson, Trevon Wilson, Trebion Wilson, Antonio Newburn, Roy Davis, and Jackie Richardson Jr.

 Submitted by the Wilson Family