Laura Wilson
Laura Eleanor Weakley Wilson was born April 1, 1925, in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the third child and second daughter born to Marshal and Althea Weakley. Eleanor grew up in Nashville and was educated in the public schools of Davidson County, graduating from Hume Fogg Technical High School in 1943.
Eleanor was licensed as an evangelist in the Church of God of Prophecy. Her ministry included evangelistic work in several southern states and official positions in youth ministry and Christian Education in Alabama and Missouri.
In the fifties, her ministry took her to Missouri where she met and married Floyd Wilson. She and Floyd soon became involved in providing services for mentally and physically handicapped children and at risk teens in both Missouri and Kansas. Eleanor served as Acting Director of Social Services Designee for Nursing homes. She continued her education at Calvary Bible College and University of Kansas Community College in Kansas City, Missouri. During this time, she and Floyd demonstrated their love and compassion for young people by willingly accepting the responsibility for three foster children: Janice Riggs Couch, Teddy Jerald Riggs and Betty Riggs Lumley.
In retirement Eleanor and Floyd moved to Cleveland, Tn., where she became an active member of the Keith Street Church of God of Prophecy and volunteered with Bridges for Mentally and Physically Handicapped Children and Pioneer Clubs.
She passed away on October 4, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her parents, Marshal and Althea Weakley; a sister, Lucille Weakley; brothers, Thomas (Joan) Weakley, Eugene (Juanita) Weakley, Zelbert (Margaret) Weakley, and Glenn (Carol) Weakley.
She is survived by daughters Janice (Milton) Couch of Cleveland, TN, and Betty (Earl) Lumley of Lenox, TN; one son, Ted (Joan) Riggs of Fairbanks, AK; granddaughters Kena (Jerry) Harrison of St. Louis, MO, Kendra (Greg) Goodman of Cleveland, TN, Kerri (Jeff) Greenway of Marietta, GA, Kelly (Joe) Daggett of Paola, KS, Angela (Michael) Randall of Lawrence, KS, Nicole (Geoff) Welch of Fairbanks, AK; and one grandson, Jere (Shannon) Riggs of Fairbanks, AK. Also surviving are twenty-one great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Keith Street Church of God of Prophecy at 4000 Keith St., Cleveland. This will be followed by a service of celebration and appreciation beginning at 6 p.m. with Rev. John A. Stone officiating. Ryden Bell, Kenny Goodman, LT Stephen Greenway, Nelson Goodman, Morgan Goodman and Will Greenway will serve as pallbearers. She will be interred with her husband, Floyd, at the National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tn., at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, with the committal by LT Stephen Greenway.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Children’s Ministry at the Church of God of Prophecy, 4000 Keith St., Cleveland, TN 37312.
Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.