Mary Collins Wilson

Mary Collins Wilson was called home to her Savior on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. She was born on Sept 2, 1926 in Biloxi, Mississippi to William J. and Augustine O’Donnell Collins. Mary was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, Biloxi and St. Mary’s Dominican, New Orleans. After her marriage to Dick Wilson on April 25, 1953 at Nativity B.V.M., Biloxi, she lived in Forrest City, Arkansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Dallas, Texas. Most recently she lived with her daughter Teresita in Roanoke, TX. She began working as a realtor in Dallas in the early 70’s. Her husband Dick joined her in the business a few years later claiming, “I’m tired of carrying her typewriter, so I might as well join her.” They enjoyed working together and become a top selling team in the Dallas market. Mary and Dick sold homes for and to many happy homeowners. She became widely known in Dallas as “Aunt Mary” because everyone she met became part of her family. She loved to tell stories of growing up in Biloxi and sailing with her brothers (even when they threw her overboard). She cherished her many nieces and nephews and enjoyed sharing memories at the Collins family reunions. Mary leaves a legacy of love and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Mary is preceded in death by her husband Edmund “Dick” Wilson, her parents, her brothers and sisters-in law Bill Collins (Dot Collins, Jane Buck Collins), Frank Collins, Joe Collins (Dot Collins), Paul Collins, and Lenny Collins. She is survived by her daughters Teresita Perez (Mike) and Ann Pike, grandchildren Lindsey (Dusty) Mann, Christopher, Sarah, and Elizabeth Perez; JohnRoss, Zeb (Alison), Daniel (Debi), William, and Katie Pike and great-grandchildren Caleb, Grace, Evelyn, and Levi. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Rose Mary (Frank), Rose (Paul), and Lucille (Lenny) Collins, brother-in-law Billy Roy Wilson, and numerous nephews and nieces. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity BVM Cathedral on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit from 9:00 am until mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.