Janice Wilson

Janice Fay Wilson of Durant, Okla. passed away May 7, 2021 at the age of 85 in Sherman, Texas. Jan – known to almost everyone as “GG,” – was born Nov. 17, 1935 in Apollo, Pa.

She was a devoted wife, dedicated mother, and proud grandmother and great grandmother. Jan cared deeply for her family, her friends, and her community, and spent 54 years married to the love of her life, Jimmy Wilson.

One of six children, Jan began school in Shady Plain, Pa. in a one-room schoolhouse at the age of five, serving as an interpreter for her older brother, who was born with a speech impediment.

Jan met Jimmy in 1949 when he was working on a pipeline in her hometown of Apollo. They courted briefly before Jimmy returned to Oklahoma and joined the Army, serving our country in the Korean War. Jan and Jimmy wrote letters to each other during his military service and fell in love. When Jimmy was released from duty, he went directly to Pennsylvania and married Jan on September 18, 1954. She was 17 years old when they began their life together, relocating to Mesquite, Texas for six years before moving to Durant, where they spent the rest of their lives.

Jan and Jimmy raised two children, Deneice and Steve, and were very involved with their family, church, and community. During their marriage, Jan kept the books for Jimmy’s company Wilson Masonry, and also had numerous jobs outside the home once their children were raised. She worked several years each with The Bryan County Election Board, The Jubilation House, Price’s Printing, and Staff One, and it seemed as though she knew everyone in Durant, greeting each person with a smile.

Jan’s kind heart, listening ear, and generous spirit resulted in many lifelong friendships, one of the greatest joys in her life. She enjoyed reading and traveling, and always had a bountiful garden, from which she shared the fruits of her labor. Camping was another favorite pastime, and Jan looked forward to summertime when she could spend time in her yard, at the lake, or beside a pool. Most of all, Jan was devoted to her family, especially caring for and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Deneice Ridlehuber and her husband Hoyte of Mead, Okla.; son, Steve Wilson and his wife Debbie of Durant; grandchildren: Cliff Wilson and his wife Shembra of Durant, Stephanie Beaver and her husband Brandon of Durant, Ericka Sisk and her husband Caleb of Durant; great-grandchildren: Jace and Landry Beaver, Briar and Augustus Wilson, and Jagger Sisk; siblings: Nelson Culp of Boise, Idaho; Cathie Mattu of Lake Placid, Fla.; and Lewis Culp of Apollo, Pennsylvania, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Wilson, parents Altai and Margaret Culp, brother Herky Culp and sister Violet Lookhart.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Durant, Okla. Jan’s wish was to be cremated, and her ashes spread in the place where she spread the ashes of her beloved husband Jimmy.