Leora Marie (Russell) Wilson

Leora Marie Wilson, 95, of Carthage, IL, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Leora was born on February 16, 1929, the daughter of John and Greta (Dowdall) Russell. She grew up in rural Basco on her family farm, helping her siblings and parents with chores and learning many important tasks including cooking and baking from her mother.  Both were very proficient in the kitchen and many other things to make a household work.   Leora enjoyed spending many hours with her parents through the years and they supported each other throughout their lives.

Leora was very active in school.  She served on many committees in school, was a 4-H member, and was a cheerleader. She went to high school with her future husband Ed but ignored his persistent attempts to date her.  After high school she finally agreed to a date and all things fell in place.  Ed and Leora were married in 1950 with a very small wedding and an outdoor reception in rural Basco.  They started their family in 1951, welcoming a baby girl on January 1st.  Their family would grow to four children, including Debbie (Terry) Pope, Dan (Joni) Wilson, Jeff (Linda) Wilson and Greta (Dave) Wetzel.   Leora and Ed also enjoyed 12 grandchildren: Hannah (Shawn) Whitaker, Lydia (Todd) Ahrens, Rebecca (Mike) Sommer, Micah (Johanna) Pope, Ryan (Beate) Wilson, Adele (Brian) Langworthy, Isaac (Suprayasi) Wilson, Paul (Kelly) Wilson, Joel (Anna) Wilson, Pete (Lizz) Wilson, Burdette (Kenna) Wetzel, and Gracie (Andy) Webster.  They also enjoyed 31 great grandchildren including step, adopted, and foster children.

Leora helped on a daily basis with the family farm, working alongside Ed and his parents.  Leora found herself fixing meals, delivering meals, driving the tractors and trucks, doing the farm books, marketing the grain, and all the things in between to make the family farm successful.  On top of this she always had time for her family, neighbors, and church family.  Leora served on many committees; as a deaconess, bible schoolteacher, and Sunday school teacher; and often invited others to the Sunday dinner table.  Leora had many gifts, but excelled with being hospitable, always inviting friends and family to family dinners and events.  She wanted everyone to feel welcome.

Leora loved her kids, grandkids and great grandchildren.  She enjoyed seeing them grow to become caring individuals and carry on the legacy of serving others. Leora had a special place for her church family at Golden’s Point Church, of which she was a member along with Ed for most of their married life.  She was known for making the special caramel for the ice cream social for many years.

Ed was the love of her life, and she missed him up until she passed.  She was looking forward to reuniting with him knowing their faith in Jesus would lead them back to one another for eternity.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ed Wilson, her daughter, Debbie Pope, son-in-law, David Wetzel, granddaughter-in-law, Suprayasi, great-granddaughter, Angelica, her brothers, Lowell Russell, Harold Russell, Jim Russell, and John Russell, and one sister, Kathleen Mayo.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Golden’s Point Church near Hamilton, IL, with burial to follow at Thornber Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, at Golden’s Point Church from 4-7 pm. Memorials may be made out to Golden’s Point Church or the Memorial Hospital Endowment Foundation.