August 19, 1940 – January 21, 2026
Molly Ruth Wilson, age 85, of Texarkana, Arkansas, formerly of Ashdown, Arkansas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, surrounded by her beloved husband and children. Mrs. Wilson was born on August 19, 1940, in Dallas, Texas, and lived in Texarkana most of her life. Molly was a retired registered nurse and Case Manager on 3 South at Christus St. Michael Health Care System, and a faithful member of Sugar Hill Church. She was the nurse you wanted by your side when you were sick. She was sassy and tough, and never hesitated to make her opinion known, delivered with respect, clarity, and gentle kindness. “GrandMolly”, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, was their trusted confidante, their partner in crime, and the devout keeper of all their secrets. A natural prankster and joker, Molly never missed an opportunity to make someone smile. Molly’s competitive nature shone through her love of board games, cards, and dominoes shared with friends and family, never cutting anyone a break no matter their age. When she won, she would proudly post the scorecard for all to see; but when she lost, it mysteriously disappeared almost instantaneously. She spent many hours creating beautiful quilts for her family, commemorating accomplishments of degrees, birthdays, and holidays thru her craft. These quilts were works of art — spanning generations, and winning awards. Molly was preceded in death by her parents, Joe “Big Daddy” Silas Turley and Ina Ruth Unsell, and one daughter-in-law, Kathleen Center. She is survived by her husband, to whom she was devoted to for fifty-two years, Gary Wayne Wilson of Texarkana, Arkansas; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bailey and Dawn Center of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Brian Center of Texarkana, Arkansas; one daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Alistair “Tony” Ortiz of Suffolk, Virginia; five grandchildren, Bailey Roberts Center III, Zackery Stephen Center, Dawson Wayne Center, Alistair Alexander Ortiz II and Alexandra Ruth Ortiz; three great grandchildren, Charlotte Jean Ayala-Colon, Harper-May Michele Center and Avery Dawn Center; and her beloved nephew, Christopher Turley, along with a host of friends, relatives, and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials made to the Ruth Turley-Molly Wilson Nursing Scholarship, Henderson State University, Attention: Foundation, 1100 Henderson Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71999; or to Sugar Hill Church, 1621 Sugar Hill Rd., Texarkana, Arkansas 71854. The family will receive friends at the Texarkana Funeral Home on 4801 Parkway Drive, Texarkana, Arkansas, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. A celebration of Molly’s life will be held on Thursday, January 29th at 2:00 P.M. at Texarkana Funeral Home, Arkansas, with Rev. Phil Smith presiding. Register online at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home.
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