Emma Irene Wilson

Emma Irene Cross Wilson, 97 of Harlan was a Christian, a devoted wife, loving mother, and grandmother. She passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday (March 13) at the Harlan Baptist Church with Dr. John Ditty officiating. Visitation will be after 5:00 pm Tuesday until the funeral hour at the Harlan Baptist Church. A private burial will be held at the Resthaven Cemetery at Keith, KY with Pallbearers being her grandsons and great grandsons.
Irene was born on February 13, 1921, at Brookside, KY to the late Bill and Letia Seal Cross. Irene attended the Ages Elementary School and later graduated from Evarts High School.
She was united in marriage to Shelby Lee Wilson, Sr. on August 7, 1940 and they were married for 50 years. Irene was an active member of Ages Baptist Church for many years, serving as Sunday school teacher and superintendent. After moving to Harlan, Irene joined the Harlan Baptist Church in 1965 where she was an active member serving as a Sunday school teacher and was a founding member of the Christian Menders and Glory Singers.
In addition to her faithful services at the Harlan Baptist Church, Irene was retired from Belk Simpson Co. where she worked in the children’s department. After the passing of her Husband, Lee she served on the Board of Directors for Mountain Heritage Hospice of Harlan.
One of Irene’s greatest accomplishments and pleasures was her family. Her children, Shelby (Kathy) Wilson, Claude (Janet) Wilson, and Mary Lou (Dave) McCarthy; grandchildren, Robyn (Keith) Parsons, Shelby (Chrissy) Wilson, III, CC (Natasha) Wilson, Heather Wilson, Lee (Megan) Freyer, Shannon (Anthony) Twilla, Kerri McCarthy, Wilson McCarthy, and 15 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and very special friends, Angel and Joe Ewing, loving caregivers, Debra Fields and Robbin Howard.
Besides her parents, and loving husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lenore Wallace Brassfield, Bette Jane Cross Lambert and Bill Cross, Jr.
In lieu of flowers the family would like memorials be made to the Harlan Baptist Church, PO Box 883 or to Bluegrass Hospice Care, 2972 S. US Hwy 25E, Barbourville, KY 40906.
Please feel free to leave a condolence, memory or photo at www.aljfh.com
Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Emma Irene Wilson.