Cleonise Marie (Cavanaugh) Wilson

Cleonise (Cleo) M. Wilson, 89, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, died on Monday, February 25, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She leaves a legacy of love through her children: John (Kathe) Wilson of Denver, CO, James (Jim) Wilson of Biloxi, MS, Jerry (Margaret) Wilson of Gautier, MS, Margaret (Bob) McCarty of Laurel, MD, Colleen (Dan) Hogan of Prosperity, SC, Ricky (Jeanine) Wilson of Mobile, AL, and Karen (Lee) Balcer of Hurley, Mississippi; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister, Margaret (Peggy) Camus of Tampa, Fl and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cleo was a lifetime member of VFW Women’s Auxiliary (Post 3373), a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church since 1970, and previously was the manager of the cafeteria at Pascagoula High School. 

Born Cleonise Marie Cavanaugh on September 9, 1929 in New Orleans, her parents moved the family to Pensacola, FL in the 1940s.  She married her high school sweetheart, Charles (Charlie) E. Wilson in 1949.  He preceded her in death in 1999 after 50 years of marriage.  Also preceding in death were her parents, John and Loretta Cavanaugh, her brother, John (Jack) Cavanaugh, her sisters Colleen Coburger, and Rosemary (Dutchy) Mead, and her granddaughter, Jessica Lynn McCarty. 

A wake will be held from 6-8 pm at O’Bryant and O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula on Thursday, February 28.  A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at noon on March 1, 2019. Interment immediately following at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

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