Perry and Shirley Wilson

Two incredible people left this earthly place hand in hand and walked through Heaven’s gates on April 2, 2024: Perry and Shirley Wilson. Our family is saddened to lose these two souls, but know they are together during the greatest journey there is. If you knew Perry and Shirley, you’d know they were inseparable from day one. 

Perry Lewis Wilson was born on December 25, 1929 to parents Walter Lee Wilson and Mamie Lou Shadix Wilson in Newton County, Georgia. Shirley Mae Wilson was born on August 20, 1935 to parents Thomas G Cochran and Cleo Bell Rooks Cochran in Newton County, Georgia.  They were both from large families.  Perry is preceded in death by his siblings: Paul Patterson Wilson, Carlton Wilson, Mary Frances Wilson, Walter Lee Wilson Jr.  “Mutt”, Janie Larue Lunsford, James Wood Wilson, Louise Wilson and Sara J Wilson.  He is survived by his brother Guy Robert Wilson. Shirley is preceded in death by her siblings Joyce Ann Cochran Thacker, Martha Louise Cochran and George Kenneth Cochran.  She is survived by her brother Randy Thomas Cochran.

Perry served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a self-made man, who prided himself on providing for his family and instilled a strong value for hard work.  He loved Nascar, a good western, building and fixing things to solve problems. Shirley’s greatest pride was her family. She instilled values of love, kindness and giving.  She loved to cook, to have friends and family gathered around the table and most of all, she loved her boys. She read her bible every day and prayed for family and friends. Her most notable quote was “I love you a bushel and peck and a hug around the neck.”  They both loved to travel and spend time at their Florida house and lake cabins.

When they met, Perry had been working as a general contractor and Shirley was in school. They knew each other as children riding on the school bus. They fell in love immediately after their first date at Bill's Truck Stop where they enjoyed ice cream.   They were married on June 5, 1953 and went on to have five children: They were preceded in death by their son Lewis Randle Wilson (Dara) and are survived by sons Phillip Perry Wilson (Tania) Michael Wayne Wilson (Donna), Jeffrey Scott Wilson (Carrie), and James Glenn Wilson (Kathy).  They are survived by 11 grandchildren: Brandon Wilson, Teryn Owensby (Steven), Holly Christian (Terrell), Stephanie Fleckenstein (Robbie), Devin Collins (Gavin), Glenn Wilson (Stephanie), Blake Wilson (Elisabeth), Brittany Murphy (Robert), Olivia Wilson (Stephen) Jade Stalvey (Lane), Matt Wilson (Lana) There are 18 great grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews and cousins.  

They were inseparable even in death, we will be holding services for Perry and Shirley at Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, Covington, Georgia 30014 on Saturday, April 6th. Visitation will take place between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, with a graveside service immediately following at 2:00 pm at Lawnwood Memorial Park.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Perry and Shirley Wilson, please visit our floral store.