Lawrence (Larry) Lee Wilson was born on January 26, 1935, in a farmhouse near Elm Springs, Arkansas. Larry was the 5th of seven children born to William Leon and Maude Elmina (Smith) Wilson. He was ushered into Glory on November 24, 2023. After high school graduation, Larry went to work as a truck driver and combine operator for his uncle and Harmon Yarborough. Harmon’s daughter, Barabra Ann, and Larry were married, on May 28, 1954, in Yuma, Arizona.
Larry returned to harvesting in 1957. He remained in Montana at the end of harvest to work on a ranch. It is here he leased a truck stop and motel called “Lou’s” in Lothair, Montana in 1959. He owned “Larry’s Westside Enco” until he surrendered his life to Christ. After becoming a Christian, Larry felt the call of the Lord to go into ministry.
In 1962, Larry moved the family to Texas so he could attend college and seminary. In 1964, he was called to First Baptist Church Forreston, Texas where he was ordained. Larry pastored four other churches in Texas before moving to Camden, Arkansas, in 1989, where he served his last church in full-time ministry. Upon retirement in December 1999, he and Barabra moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He was an interim pastor at 19 different churches in and around Christian County as well as serving as interim Director of Missions for the Christian County Baptist Association.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home with Rev. David Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in Cerulean Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Maude Wilson, brothers: Billy and Bobby, and sisters: Betty and Bonnie. His precious daughter, Lori Ann Wilson, passed away in 1996.
He is survived by his bride of over 69 years, Barabra Ann, and sons, Timothy Lee Wilson, Ted Harmon (Paulette) Wilson, and James Lawrence (Susan) Wilson. Additionally, his grandchildren, John (Tracy), Jason (Lauren), Heather (Drew Newell), Stephen (Kristen), and Jamie (Emily) Wilson. His great-grandchildren include Monique Ybarra, Sophia and Carter Jane Wilson, Westyn, Paxton and Ellori Newell, Zoe, Mica Rose, Shane and Alivia Wilson. Larry has one great, great-granddaughter, Rylee Ybarra. Larry’s surviving sisters are Joyce Tacker and Frances (Billy Joe) Long and a host of nieces and nephews.
Contributions may take the form of donations to the Lottie Moon offering or the Christian County Baptist Association.
