Jim and Mary Ann Wilson

Please join the daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren of Jim and Mary Ann Wilson at their Celebrations of Life on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Wilson Funeral Home. Visitation will be noon-1 p.m. and the service will follow at 1 p.m.

Jim was born on January 12,1940 in Perrine Florida to Noah and Trudy Bryant Wilson. Mary Ann was born on February 25,1941 in Apalachicola Florida to James and Mamie Taylor Grantham.

They met at a basketball game when they were juniors in high school. Mary Ann was the scorekeeper for the Adel Hornets and Jim was a star player for the Hahira Tigers. They married in Valdosta Georgia on August 9,1959, moved to Panama City in 1961 and made it their lifelong home. Together they had four daughters who they supported wholeheartedly by attending many band events, track meets, softball games, recitals and cheerleading at Bay High School football games.

Jim was a successful Nationwide Insurance agent and Mary Ann was a homemaker and Elementary Home Room Mother Extraordinaire. They loved attending their grandchildren's plays, dance recitals and games. Jim was active as a member of Hadji Temple Pensacola from the early 1960's-1985. He then became a Charter member of Shaddai Shrine Temple from 1985-2022. Mary Ann loved all sports; women's and men's. But she cheered loudest for the University of Alabama football and softball teams, and the University of North Carolina basketball team. Jim also proudly supported the University of Alabama.

When Jim retired in 2005, they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, making friends everywhere they went.

Mary Ann succumbed to an unexpected illness and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 9, 2022.

Jim passed away peacefully eight weeks later also surrounded by his family on November 4, 2022.

They were preceded in death by their parents, siblings Jim Grantham, Paul Wilson and Nina Wilson Drew. They are survived by Jim's siblings Noah Wilson (Marjorie) in Morristown Tennessee and Marlene Wilson Peagler (Jim) Charleston South Carolina, their daughters, Pam, in Denver Colorado, Janet Caragan (JR), in Gig Harbor Washington, Kim Frye (Glen) in Panama City and Joy Noble (Michael) in Panama City. Grandchildren, Joy (Kenneth) Noble in Baltimore Maryland, Taylor Caragan (Jon Hickman) in Tacoma Washington, Hunter Frye (Britiany Shaufler) in Pueblo Colorado, Caroline Noble in Panama City, Trevor Caragan in Seattle Washington and Sarah Grace Noble in Tuscaloosa Alabama.

I lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bay Education Foundation, at bayeducationfoundation.org.