Patricia Marrs Wilson

Patsy Marrs Wilson, 88, died peacefully on February 7, 2026, surrounded by many of her loved ones. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she lived her life rooted in family and faith.

Patricia was born April 4, 1937, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to William Lavender Marrs and Pauline (Polly) Scott Marrs. Her daddy, quite the character, was a radio personality known as "Professor Kingfish." Patsy definitely inherited his spunkiness and sense of humor. The family moved to Johnson City, TN, where she attended University High School on the campus of East Tennessee State University. She graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College with a degree in Education.

Patsy worked summers, first at Lake Junaluska in NC, and then Basin Harbor Club, in Vergennes, VT, where she met a wonderful young man, Douglas Wilson. Patsy and Doug married on January 1, 1960, in Johnson City, TN. During the early years of marriage, while Doug was in college, Patsy taught elementary school in Donalds, SC (earning $2,300 per year). When Doug graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS), Patsy taught school in Norfolk, VA. The family moved to Richmond in 1966, where Patsy taught at Westover Hills Elementary and Franklin Elementary schools.

In her retirement years, she was active with the Philanthropic Education Organization (P. E. O.), the United Women of Faith UMFS (Shine Forth), and Writers’ Roundtable. One of the missions dearest to her heart was the Walk-In Feeding program at Centenary United Methodist Church, where she faithfully volunteered each Friday, even up to the week before her passing.

Patsy was an avid reader, a published poet, a civil rights advocate, and a woman of unending faith. She loved sending thoughtful note cards, flower gardening, creative writing, music, travel, and above all else, family. Her sense of humor was legendary! She had the sweetest soul and could make anyone laugh by just being herself. All of us have been touched by her kindness, graciousness, selflessness, generosity, but most especially, by her loving heart.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sandra Marrs Dimick. Patsy is survived by her husband, Douglas MacLean Wilson, her children, Daniel Marrs Wilson (Donna Johns), Tanya Scott Wilson Bosse (Rick), and William MacLean Wilson (Bobbie Edge); her grandchildren, William MacLean Wilson II, Baxter Aaron Wilson (Christina Howell), Sydney Anne Bosse Bushrow (Charles), Shannon Bailie Wilson Farris (Gabe), Bryten Alexandra Wilson, Sophie Elizabeth Bosse, and Jeffrey Daniel Wilson; and her great granddaughter, Elise Jane Farris.

In Patsy’s words: “I am just so very grateful for my time on this earth. I want to thank everyone who said a kind word to me or gave me a smile during all my years. I am not sure how eternity works; but I know God will take care of me and give me peace.”

A celebration of life will be held on March 7, 2026, 2:00 p.m., at Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Shine Forth (shineforth.org) or Centenary United Methodist Church - Walk In Ministry.