Mary Ann Bowman Wilson's Obituary
Mary Ann Wilson, age 96 was born in Dallas, TX, on January 1, 1929, to Edward Campbell and Thelma Ruth Bowman and went home to the Lord on May 7, 2025. A Dallas native, Mary Ann graduated from North Dallas High School. She enrolled in college at the age of 16 and graduated from SMU with a BBA in Management where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.
She worked in a variety of industries with different roles including being an entrepreneur, with her own financial recruiting firm, Wilson Sherman, and a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines traveling to Mexico and South America. On a delayed flight, she met the love of her life, Jim (J.R.) Wilson, a passenger who was determined to pursue her. They married in Perkins Chapel on March 15, 1952, and had three children: Keith, Mark, and Nancy.
Mary Ann loved the outdoors and travel. As a family, they camped in 48 states and Canada. Mary Ann and Jim expanded their travel visiting the Greek Islands, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, Hawai’i, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Croatia.
She held major positions with several organizations including PTA, earning the Lifetime Membership award. For more than 78 years she was an active and involved member of Northway Christian Church. Mary Ann served as a Stephen Minister, Deacon, and Elder, and she was active in one of the first grief recovery programs in Dallas. She chaired and served multiple committees including Long Range Planning, Worship, Building, Foundation Board, and Executive Committee of the Board. Her highest honor was Elder Emeritus.
Mary Ann devoted her life for the betterment of women, serving 72 years as a P.E.O. member after being initiated into her mother’s Chapter BC in 1953. She served P.E.O. in various roles including Chapter President where she initiated Nancy and Amanda in BC, installed Christina as President for chapter JF organization, General Chairman for the Convention of Texas State Chapter, Dallas P.E.O. Council, International Chapter delegate, and she was elected to the board of Texas State Chapter, where she served in each of the seven offices. Mary Ann presided over the 73rd Convention of Texas State Chapter as President in 2004, the highlight of her P.E.O. life.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents and beloved husband of 63 years, Jim. She leaves behind her children Keith Wilson (Kathryn), Mark Wilson (Liz), and Rev. Nancy Sherman Carter (Van); grandchildren Jennifer McDonnell (Jeff), Bo Wilson (Mary), Laura Rosinski (Josh), Amy Hoar (Chad), Waylon Wiley (Ashley), Christina Upchurch, David Sherman (Katie), Scott Sherman (Realyn), and Amanda Sherman; and 20 great grandchildren Jack, Jude, Alli, Kate, Noah, Elle, Liv, Nora, Pike, Knox, Trey (Jessica), Samuel, Kolby, Robert, Zane, Piper, London, William, Jamarcus, Carter.
In her honor, there will be a visitation on Wednesday evening, May 14, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave. in Dallas. Interment will be at Restland on Thursday morning, May 15, 2025, at 9 a.m. A Celebration of Life Worship Service will follow at 11 a.m. at Northway Christian Church, 7202 W. Northwest Highway.
Pallbearers are Keith Wilson, Mark Wilson, Bo Wilson, David Sherman, Scott Sherman, Waylon Wiley. Honorary Pallbearers are Van Carter, Jeff McDonnell, Josh Rosinski, Chad Hoar.
The family would like to express our thanks to the volunteers and staff at Faith Presbyterian – T. Boone Pickens Hospice for all the loving care they provided to our Mom. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to P.E.O Foundation/Mary Ann Wilson Cottey College Scholarship, c/o P.E.O. International, 3700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312 or Northway Christian Church.
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