Verna Edna Wilson

Verna Edna Jarrett Wilson passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2016 in the Moosehaven Life Care Center, 39 years to the day her 1st husband George passed away. She was 99 years old and the oldest resident of Moosehaven.   She was born on June 28, 1917 to parents Christian and Agnes (Wenta) Low in St. Louis, Missouri. She was one of five children who lived through the great depression.   Verna and George had a Civil Ceremony on September 6, 1936 in Pacific, MO. Verna married George Jarrett on December 6, 1936 in the Church of Saint Boniface in Peoria, IL. They were married for 41 ½ years and had three sons: Robert Jarrett of Decatur, GA, Douglas Jarrett of St. Louis, MO, and George Jarrett of New Florence, MO, plus 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. George preceded her in death on December 15, 1977.   She then married Woodrow Wilson on June 24, 1978 in St. Louis, Missouri and they were married for 21 years. He preceded her in death on August 14, 1998.   Verna enjoyed oil painting, decorating cakes, painting ceramics, writing poetry, baking and crocheting. Some of her favorite foods were babyback ribs and pie, not to mention shrimp alfredo, and sweet potato pudding.  She is known for her wonderful cooking.   She became affiliated with the Women of the Moose on July 14, 1943 when she joined Decatur, IL Chapter #36. Verna transferred to the Middleburg, FL Chapter 2029.  She received her Academy of Friendship on May 6, 1956, her College of Regent on June 11, 1966, she was Star Recorder on May 28, 1973, and became a member of the 25 Club on March 1, 1988. Verna was dedicated to The Women of the Moose and had been a Moose member for the past 73 years.   Verna and Woodrow came to Moosehaven on January 24, 1995 where she has resided for the past 21 years. She loved her Moosehaven family. Some of you would have known her as the Hat Lady.  She had a variety of hats for every occasion. You would see her in the halls on every holiday with a hat to match the season. Verna had such a young heart and enjoyed life to the fullest - she was such a big joker and clowned around with everyone.   Verna was a volunteer clown with three different groups that went to homes and hospitals to cheer people up.  She was the Day Chairman at St. Louis Children’s hospital for the Red Cross Gray Ladies.  She was a Den Mother for 25 years as well as working with the Church Women United who delivered Meals on Wheels.  Verna was a very devout Catholic and was in the choir at church for 25 years.   She is survived by sons Robert Jarrett of Decatur, Georgia, Douglas Jarrett of St. Louis, Missouri and George Jarrett of New Florence, Missouri.   A Memorial Mass will be held on December 27, 2016 at 10:00 am in the Moosehaven Chapel with Father Tony Basso officiating followed by burial of her ashes in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri at a date yet to be determined.