Merle Dean Wilson
August 10, 1924 — June 12, 2021
Merle Deeter Wilson, 96, of North Little Rock passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Greenbrier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Greenbrier, AR. Merle was born to Roy and Zula Walker Deeter on Petit Jean Mountain August 10, 1924; she was the seventh of nine children.
She is preceded in death by her, husband, Robert L. Wilson; daughter, Robin Sue; infant son, Robert Jr. and stepson, Kenny Wilson; brothers, Talmage, Fletcher and Lansing Deeter; sisters, Mabel Leach, Melba Flagg, and Virginia Wilson and, sadly, a beloved niece and caregiver, Susan Haywood Lunday. She is survived by sisters, Wanda Haywood of Mayflower and Johnnye (Jim) Heaton of Plano, TX, and several nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Adona High School in 1942, she moved to Little Rock and worked at the Munitions Ordinance Plant in Jacksonville, AR until 1944, when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an active-duty pharmacist mate Second Class hospital corpsman at five navy bases located state side. She was released from active duty in 1947 and served in the Navy Reserves until 1951 when she was discharged from active duty as an officer, Ensign Merle D. Wilson. She attended St. Vincent School of Nursing (1947-1950) becoming a registered nurse. In 1950, she began working at the Fort Roots Veterans Hospital in North Little Rock and remained there until retirement in 1983.
She faithfully attended several Methodist Churches and was active in the Methodist Women’s groups in each church.
She was a huge fan of the Arkansas Razorback teams, often driving alone from Little Rock to Fayetteville, using the Highway 23 “Pig Trail”, to watch the games. Later she made many trips on charter buses from Little Rock to Fayetteville and back the same day. Coach Lou Holtz recognized her fervor for the “Hogs” and sent a letter to her, retiring her Razorback Number 33 for her 33 years of outstanding service at Fort Roots V.A. Hospital.
A military service will be held July 16, 10 A.M., at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery 1501 West Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR.
Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to the Methodist Family Health Care Foundation.
She is preceded in death by her, husband, Robert L. Wilson; daughter, Robin Sue; infant son, Robert Jr. and stepson, Kenny Wilson; brothers, Talmage, Fletcher and Lansing Deeter; sisters, Mabel Leach, Melba Flagg, and Virginia Wilson and, sadly, a beloved niece and caregiver, Susan Haywood Lunday. She is survived by sisters, Wanda Haywood of Mayflower and Johnnye (Jim) Heaton of Plano, TX, and several nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Adona High School in 1942, she moved to Little Rock and worked at the Munitions Ordinance Plant in Jacksonville, AR until 1944, when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an active-duty pharmacist mate Second Class hospital corpsman at five navy bases located state side. She was released from active duty in 1947 and served in the Navy Reserves until 1951 when she was discharged from active duty as an officer, Ensign Merle D. Wilson. She attended St. Vincent School of Nursing (1947-1950) becoming a registered nurse. In 1950, she began working at the Fort Roots Veterans Hospital in North Little Rock and remained there until retirement in 1983.
She faithfully attended several Methodist Churches and was active in the Methodist Women’s groups in each church.
She was a huge fan of the Arkansas Razorback teams, often driving alone from Little Rock to Fayetteville, using the Highway 23 “Pig Trail”, to watch the games. Later she made many trips on charter buses from Little Rock to Fayetteville and back the same day. Coach Lou Holtz recognized her fervor for the “Hogs” and sent a letter to her, retiring her Razorback Number 33 for her 33 years of outstanding service at Fort Roots V.A. Hospital.
A military service will be held July 16, 10 A.M., at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery 1501 West Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR.
Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to the Methodist Family Health Care Foundation.
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