Obituary

After 100 glorious love-filled years, Mary Estella Wilson earned her angel wings and went to dance in the streets of Heaven on December 21, 2024.

She was born on October 6, 1924, to James and Annie Quickle, and she and her two brothers grew up in Pliny, WV. After graduating from Winfield High School, she moved to Charleston, WV, and began her career as a secretary for Ohio-Apex Chemical Company. There she met the love of her life, Jack P. Wilson, and they shared 64 years of marriage before his death on July 14, 2011. Together, they raised two children and shared many wonderful times as a family. After raising her young children, Estella returned to work again as an executive secretary for Yeardly Engineering in Charleston and retired from there after many years of service. She was an active, dedicated member of the American Business Women’s Association, Charleston Chapter, and was honored to be elected ABWA’s Woman of the Year.

She enjoyed listening to many genres of music, dancing, watching WVU basketball and football with Jack, working daily crossword puzzles, and playing various board and card games. Estella was an avid gardener, filling her home and yard with a variety of beautiful plants and flowers. She was also an avid reader, enjoying a variety of books, especially inspirational books. Most importantly, she faithfully read her Bible and used it as her guide throughout her life. After she retired, she took up golf and spent many hours playing with Jack as well as with family and friends during annual Thanksgiving trips to Myrtle Beach. This incredible lady even made a ‘hole-in-1’ when she was in her 80s!

Church was always a central focus of her life and she was a long-time member of First Christian Church in Charleston, and in later years, the United Disciples of Christ Church in South Charleston, WV. She loved her church family and she was so appreciative of their 100th birthday tribute to her. She was a devoted and faithful servant and follower of Jesus throughout her entire journey on this earth.

She was blessed in so many ways, including excellent health up until the end, and the love of her family, friends, and countless grand-furbabies through the years. Estella never missed an opportunity to tell her family how much she loved and appreciated them every day. Though she never considered herself a great cook, her family disagreed and she was known for making a delectable lemon cake and lemon meringue pie. Her specialty at church dinners was deviled eggs, and she was known as the ‘peanut butter queen’ when making Easter eggs at church for which she continued to do until age 97.

There are so many words we can use to describe Estella. She was warm, loving and kind to all people. She was strong, energetic, and wise, and kept her playful spirit, sharp wit, and zest for life until the end. She was beautiful inside and out and had a genuine heart of gold and a sweet spirit. There was seldom a time when you didn’t see a smile on her beautiful face. She was a “social butterfly” at the Genesis Dunbar Center, and “sweet” is how most will remember her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. While we are saddened by her passing, we are comforted knowing she is in her heavenly home.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Patty Igo (Jimmy), of South Charleston; son, Paul Wilson (Brandi), of Charleston; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; nieces, Judy Fox, Julie Stone Dickie, Dr. Marta Stone Hayne, and Kitten Stone; nephews, Jimmy Quickle and Dusty Quickle (Stephanie), and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Genesis Dunbar Center for their exceptional care throughout the past two years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the United Disciples of Christ Church, 100 United Disciples Drive, South Charleston, WV 25309, with Pastor Steven Smith officiating. A reception will follow the service.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the church.

In a private ceremony, Estella will be interred at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery with her husband, Jack, who was a proud U.S. Marine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Estella’s memory be made to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311 or via online at https://adoptcharleston.com/support#donate-today, or to a charity of your choosing.

Condolences may be sent to www.barlow-bonsall.com

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.