Beverly Jane Wilson

Beverly Jane Wilson, was born on September 12, 1928 in Galveston County, Texas. She was the first child born to James Kelly and Virginia Merle Wilson. Two years later, twins Maynon (nicknamed Biddie) and James Reagan were born, but baby James only lived a few weeks. Kelly was a baseball player in the minor leagues, but a career ending injury caused the family to relocate from West Virginia to Robstown, Texas. Kelly operated a Texaco service station while Merle taught piano, played organ and piano at the First Baptist Church of Robstown, Texas.

Merle’s love of music inspired her daughter. Beverly graduated from Robstown High School in 1946 and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music from Howard Payne University. She also studied British history and literature. Beverly began a long and successful career in education, teaching 6th grade at Windsor Park Elementary in Corpus Christi, Texas for close to 40 years, while also directing the school choir. She also taught at Montclair Elementary School.

Beverly’s life changed drastically in 1962. After my parents divorced, my mom and I moved from Illinois to Corpus Christi into an apartment with my Aunt Beverly, who by this time, was also divorced. I was two, and when I started talking, I called my aunt ‘Sissy’, a nickname which stayed with her for the rest of her life. Two divorcees, rearing a child in the early 60’s was a bit unconventional. They donned groovy hairdos – funky colors, like purple-ish silver; it wasn’t really purple, but as a kid, it sure looked that way to me. Go-go boots completed their fashion statement. At one point, my mother drove a hot red Camaro. Sissy was the disciplinarian: she made me do my homework and practice piano when I wanted to quit; she even bought me a piano! We lived with Sissy until my mother remarried.

Sissy returned to church and started growing in her faith in the early 1970’s. She joined St. John’s United Methodist Church where she met many of her dearest friends. Members shared, “She helped organize St. John's first youth choir. Beverly absolutely loved to sing Methodist hymns with gusto and also sang in the Sanctuary Choir for many years. She was a faithful member of United Methodist Women and also the Friendship Sunday School Class, taught by her closest friend, JoAnne Wilshusen. One of Beverly's favorite activities was helping lead sing-alongs at local nursing homes in the early 2000s, accompanied by fellow choir members. Beverly was the church historian and kept copious notes on yellow legal pads. She was the primary contributor for the St. John's historical narrative published in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church's founding.” Her greatest joy was derived from serving at St. John’s and being a part of the church family.

Sissy enjoyed travelling with her friends to Kerrville, Texas for church conferences and to Europe, even though she was scared to death of flying! Her favorite countries to visit were England and Austria (she loved Mozart)!

Once I married and had three children, Sissy travelled to Maryland two times a year to visit our family. She was like another grandmother to my children. She loved sightseeing in Washington, DC, Brookside Gardens, and the National Cathedral.

Sissy started showing signs of Alzheimer’s a few years back. She was unable to attend church, but Suzie and others from St. John’s visited her regularly. Since my family still lived in Maryland, we very much appreciated this love and care for my aunt.

Sissy livened up the place at Alameda Oaks Nursing Home. A writer of encouraging notes and letters throughout the years, she always had a notebook with her, and continually began writing her story on pages and pages of paper.

The kids and I saw her in April. Sadly, she didn’t remember us. I returned again in July, and I was so thankful we had a good visit. I showed her the church bulletin from St. John’s that morning. She talked a little, and I knew she recognized me. I showed her pictures of the family and prayed with her, said goodbye, and headed to the airport, When I received a late-night phone call a week later, I knew she had gone to be with the Lord. She passed peacefully at 92 years of age.
Sissy had no children, but raised me (Keri Jacobs) like I was her own. Also surviving include my husband, Gary Jacobs, our children: Shannon, Scott, Noely (and husband John Shedd); cousins Linda Gross, Joy Frederick, Jan Anderson and their families.

I truly appreciate the staff of Alameda Oaks Nursing home who lovingly cared for Sissy.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s United Methodist Church on Friday, August 20th at 11:00AM, followed by a reception. Burial will be held at the Robstown Memorial Park, 4607 FM1889, at 2:30PM. Sissy will be buried alongside her parents, Kelly and Merle.

A memorial concert of music and singing will be held in Sissy’s honor at my church later in October (Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, MD).

If you wish to make a donation, please consider St. John’s United Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas or the non-profit organization, Alternate Melody – ‘Music of Hope for a Broken World’, a music ministry founded by Sissy’s niece, Keri Jacobs. www.alternatemelody.org for more information.