Bernice Lucille Anderson Wilson

Bernice Lucille Anderson Wilson, 92, died Friday, April 18, 2014 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. She was born May 17, 1921 on the family farm in Fluvanna County, Virginia to Granville Churchill and Virginia Walker (Cobb) Anderson. The ninth of ten children, she was known as “Jack” to her family. After business school, she worked at a bank in Alexandria, VA where she met and married Norman Harry Wilson, a charming sergeant from Des Moines. They moved to California in 1945, then to Des Moines in 1951 where Norm co-owned Cox Neon Signs. Norm called her “Jack” too and the name continued another generation as she became “Grandma Jack” to granddaughters Daisy and Abby.

Bernice devoted her life to her family and her community. She volunteered for her children’s schools, including PTA positions, assisting in classrooms, and grading papers. She served in many roles at Park Avenue Christian Church. She volunteered at Ramsey Home creating their first mini-store. She made frequent trips to her siblings, primarily in Virginia. She and Norm hosted many Wilson family get-togethers. She reveled in her granddaughters’ growth.

Bernice was hard-working, gracious, generous, and striking. She loved to laugh and stayed physically active until recently. She took long walks, relishing nature and the skies. She was a voracious reader, curious, and loved word games. When Norm became ill, she nursed him until his death in 1996. She moved from Des Moines to The Willows in Stuart, and, until her health prevented it, volunteered in small ways at the Community Care Center. She said “there are people who just need a hug or a touch or put down the bingo pieces for them.”

Bernice is survived by daughter Diane Evelyn Wilson Pratt (and loving son-in-law John) of Petaluma, CA; son Terry Norman Wilson of San Francisco, CA; daughter Cameron Wilson Miller of Stuart. She is also survived by her adored granddaughters, Margaret Cameron Miller and Abigail Virginia Miller of Stuart. A sister survives, Clara Gertrude Anderson, Charlottesville, VA, and nieces and nephews in both Anderson and Wilson families.

She is predeceased by her husband Norman; her parents; her brothers: James (Bob) Edward Anderson, Roy Elmo Anderson and Charles Granville Anderson; her sisters: Laura Paulina Johnson, Olivia (Ola) Martin, Agnes Geneva Anderson, Mae Irwin Harris, and Eva Kathleen Kidd.

A time of sharing will be held at 4 PM on Tuesday, April 22 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St., Des Moines with visitation to follow until 7 PM. A time of sharing will also be held in Stuart at The Willows Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the Des Moines Public Library or the Stuart Public Library.

Condolences may be expressed at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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