March 1, 1941 – Sept. 14, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Sonia Alcyon Priester Wilson, 72, of Lake St. John, who died Friday, Sept. 14, 2013, at Natchez Regional Medical Center with her husband at her side, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Natchez with Dr. Doug Broome officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday in the sanctuary at the church.

Mrs. Wilson was born March 1, 1941, in Natchez, the third of three daughters and one son, born to Dewey Priester and Minnie Etta Williamson Priester.

She was a 1959 graduate of Natchez High School and was a member of the Trade and Industry Club of Mississippi.

Sonia was a member of First Baptist Church in Natchez and the Nolan Co-Ed Sunday School Class. She began her career as a telephone operator with South Central Bell in 1959, which led her into the field of medical insurance billing for more than 25 years. Her favorite things were church, gatherings of family and friends in her home, cooking, gardening and sewing. Her love for her Lord and Savior were evident in her life and through the poems she loved to write.

Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her parents; one nephew, Duane Priester; two brothers-in-law, Billy Young and Laurence O’Ferrall; and two sisters-in-law, Anne Valentine and Margaret O’Ferrall.

Survivors include her husband, Hall W. Wilson; one daughter, Gayle Godard Robertson and husband, Marke; one son, Bruce M. Godard, whose father was Preston Godard, all of Natchez; her husband’s children, Cynthia Wilson Gould and husband, Spencer, of Newbury Park, Calif., and Amanda Wilson of Clinton; two sisters, Jean Young of Clinton and Nina Elkins of Natchez; one brother, Dillon Priester and wife, Irene, of Denham Springs, La.; five grandchildren, Jessica Riccio and husband, Dave, of Miami Beach, Fla., April Temple, Abrina Temple, both of Natchez, Adrian Gould, Wilder Gould, both of Newbury Park; one brother-in-law, Robert Baker Valentine of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Marke Robertson, Robby Robertson, Mark Fisher, Tim Fisher, David Riccio and Richard East.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Nolan Sunday School Class

Sonia’s greatest desire was that everyone know and experience the love of God and live their lives in such a way that no one has to wonder where they will spend eternity.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Stubbs, Dr. Jack Rodriguez, Dr. Barry Tillman, Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, the third floor staff and nurses at Natchez Regional Medical Center. A special appreciation to Camellia Hospice and Anna Laura Orr and Courtney Hicks, First Baptist Church and members of the Nolan Sunday School Class for their prayers and support during her illness.

Memorials may be made to the Maranatha Baptist Mission, 49 Maranatha Drive, Natchez, MS 39120 or to First Baptist Church Natchez Missions.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.