Essie Mae Daniels Wilson

Essie Daniels Wilson, at the age of 99 years, 5 months, and 16 days, passed into the hands of Our Lord, May 10th, 2012 following a brief illness, at the home of her granddaughter in Russell, Florida. Beloved and devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, & great-great grandmother, Miss Essie, a sixth generation Clay Countian, was born November 24th to Ardell & Bessie Wise Daniels in Coffee County, Alabama , home of her mother’s pioneer families, the Wise’s, Creech’s, Phillip’s, and Carter’s. Except for the very earliest years in southern Alabama, she lived her life in the Green Cove Springs and Russell areas of Clay County, home to her father and his pioneer families, the Daniels, Varn’s, Thomas’, Sullivant’s, & Durrance’s. In 1932 she married LeRoy Wilson and had one daughter Juanita. Though she had only one child she was mother to many. She dedicated her life to God, family, and community. She was a devoted lifelong member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, teaching the primary children, helping with many mission efforts of the WMU, including the yearly Vacation Bible School. She was a “Pink Lady” at Clay Memorial, a member of Home Demonstration Club, and other civic groups. She was an excellent cook, avid gardener & homemaker, and also loved sewing, ceramics, and crafts. Her faith in our Heavenly Father carried her through all of life’s challenges and treasures. She will be greatly missed by family & friends, but has left many wonderful memories to cherish until we once again meet. “Nana” is predeceased by her parents Ardell & Bessie Wise Daniels, all of her siblings, Frank, Cecil, John, Ardell, Jr., Sarah Nell, & Frances; her husband of 69 years, LeRoy Wilson; daughter Juanita Wilson Cromer Barrington, son-in-law Francis L. “Frank” Barrington; great-great-grandson J.T. Hellard. She is survived her granddaughters, Deborah & Richard Callicott( Russell, FL) & Cynthia & Jesse Hellard (Middleburg, FL ) ; Great-Grandchildren, Jennifer Clark, Tiffany Burch, Olivia Robbins , Cody (Terri) Hellard, Ashley Hellard ; Great Great-grandchildren, Joshua, Gabriel Robbins & Katelynn Robbins , Caden Hellard; , Nieces and Nephews – JoAnn (Darrell) Lafitte, Dallas, Texas, Dale( Pam) Wilson, Max Wilson, Elaine (John) Rhodes, Linda (Walter) Pacetti, Lynn (Clarence) Peeples, Green Cove Springs, Eddie Chesser, Jacksonville, Faye Reddick, FL & Vermont, Special cousins Janie “Sister” Craven & Annie Muriel Griffin, and many other dear cousins. The Family would like to extend a special thank you to Doctors Helena & Neel Karnani, Jennifer LaChance, RN, Haven Hospice; Mr. Cliff with Brooks Homecare, and the many other medical personnel that have helped with “Miss Essie” these last few years. Funeral Services will be Monday May 14th at 2:00 PM, with Family & Friends visitation preceding the service from 1-2 PM in the Chapel of Broadus Raines Funeral Home with Rev. Charlie Hunt & Russell Franklin officiating and music by the Weeks Family. Interment will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Green Cove Springs. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000.