If you knew Coach Woody Wilson then you knew Mrs. Wilson.
It was May 2010 when we the people of Roanoke Rapids lost the legend Roanoke Rapids Coach Woody Wilson, but this week we lost the legends partner in Life, his wife of 61 years Mrs. Elizabeth “Lib” Owen Wilson. Mrs. Wilson passed Wednesday June 4, 2014 at the age of 88.
Mrs. Wilson was more than just a wife and a mother to their son Steve, she was a mother to many Roanoke Rapids students, football players and cheerleaders over the years. She was fiercely loyal to Coach Wilson and Yellow Jacket Nation. She adopted a generation of Coach Wilson’s students and players into her family. Gray warren was one of those, “I'm proud to be among those she considered, her boys," said Warren.
“Both Coach and Mrs. Wilson were fine people and along with my Mom & Dad had a huge influence on me growing up in Roanoke Rapids,” said Warren. “They were warm and loving people always willing to share their life experiences with me and my family,” he added.
When asked about the Wilson’s, Warren stated, “I loved Coach and Mrs. Wilson, After high school and college they made a point to stay in touch with me and I with them, forming a life long friendship with The Wilson's and their son Steve. People throw the term “role model" about all the time. I can attest, Coach and Mrs. Wilson were role models to me, my brothers and a generation of kids to come thru RRHS.”
“Through the years I always made it a point to visit The Wilson's on my visits back home to Roanoke Rapids. After Coach Wilson passed in 2010, I continued to visit Mrs. Wilson every chance I could, I will miss those visits. They are part of who I am. I was lucky to have them as mentors in my life,” Warren added.
Mr. Warren and others will be able to pay respect to Mrs. Wilson Saturday June 7th at a graveside service.
Mrs. Wilson’s Obit:
Elizabeth ''Lib'' Owen Wilson, 88, of Roanoke Rapids, died Wednesday, June 4, 2014.
A native of Davidson County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Willie Ray and Nellie Disher Owen, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her husband Hobert Claude ''Woody'' Wilson.
She is survived by her son Stephen ''Steve'' Wilson of Jeffersonville, Indiana; her nieces, Cheryl Brown of Winston-Salem and Jana Owen of Trinity, NC; her nephew, Willie Ray Owen, III of Denton, NC.
Graveside services will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids with Dr. Layne Wallace officiating.
In lieu of flowers, in her honor you may make donations to Rosemary Baptist Church, where she was a member, 936 Jackson Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or the V Foundation, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513.