Olema Olive Wilson

Mrs. Olema Olive Wilson died peacefully at her home on the afternoon of Sunday, May 15, 2016. Olema was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 1924 to Drs. William Harvey and Esther Lentz Olive. Olema was above all else, a devoted Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. After  attending Bob Jones College, Olema  graduated from Meredith College in 1946.  Olema began her career working at the Florida State Capital in the Department of Education, where she would soon meet her future husband, State Legislator James Young Wilson of Lake City.  After only three months of courtship, the couple began a marriage that would span almost 6 decades.  She would become a vibrant part of the Lake City community, standing alongside her husband in business, community and church service.  Her business endeavors ranged from the early days of selling cane syrup made on their Lake City farm to programming the first IBM mainframe at Wilson National Life Insurance, to finally running the cattle operation at their North Carolina farm.  Olema had the gifts of grace and giving. She taught her children at an early age the responsilbility and privilege of giving to those in need, thru deed, spirit and gifts.  Olema also possessed the gift of music. A self taught pianist,  for years she played her favorite, ‘mother’s  medley of hits’. She sang in the church choirs of her youth and adult years; and brought music into the home whether thru opera, Eddie Albert or all ranges in between.  She loved simple pleasures in life such as gardening, reading and cooking; her sour cream pound cake was famous and a much sought  out treasure at the Melrose Park Cake Walks.  Olema accompanied her husband on his frequent national  travels related to his leadership roles with Florida Council of 100, University of Florida’s National  Alumni Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Life Insurance Council.  Prior to every trip, she compiled detailed notes for the care of her children, for she was happiest at home, surrounded by family. She was proud of the children she raised; thankful for their loving and gifted spouses and adored her two precious grandchildren and the adults they had grown into. Olema was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Young Wilson sr; her father, Dr. William Harvey  Olive; her mother, Dr. Esther Lentz Olive, and her sister, Billie Olive Cato.  Olema is survived by her sister, Jeanne Octavia Olive of  Pinehurst, North Carolina; her children,  daughter, Penny Olema Wilson Weber (Russ Weber) of Gainesville, Florida;  son, James Young  (Jock) Wilson, II (Nancy  Wilson) of Billings, Montana; daughter, Pattie Dale Wilson Tye (Jim Tye) of Louisville, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Nathan Lentz Weber of Gainesville, Florida and Joanna Penelope Weber of Miami, Florida.  Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 10th, at 11 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, Lake City, Florida. Visitation and gathering for family and friends will be from 6pm until 8pm on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Guerry Funeral Home. Special thanks to those who cared for her through deed and service in the last years of her life.  Her life was made richer because of their devotion.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests following the example of Olema and finding your own special way of giving back through deed, service or gifts.  GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 2659 S.W. Main Blvd., U.S. 41 South, Lake City, Florida  is in charge of arrangements. www.guerryfuneralhome.net

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