Gladys Wilson

Tupelo - Gladys Ford Wilson passed away on November 1, 2026, at her home in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was born in 1933 in Waterloo, Alabama, to Lillian Kirkland Ford and Robert Lee Ford, Sr. They moved to Columbus, Mississippi, where she spent her childhood. Gladys graduated from Lee High School in 1950. She attended MSCW or “The W”, as it is known, and graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology.

While attending a college Bible Study on Wednesday night at the First Methodist Church in Columbus, she met Robert B. “Zerk” Wilson, Sr., a handsome blue-eyed blonde from Tupelo that played football at Mississippi State University. In April of 1953 Gladys, the M-Club Queen, and Zerk eloped and were married on the front steps of the First Methodist Church in Houston, Mississippi. Gladys used her college graduation money from her Aunt Polly Beard to pay for their marriage license. They had to elope due to a rule that football players could not marry. However, the starting quarterback, Jackie Parker, and his wife eloped also. At that point Mississippi State had to provide housing for married athletes.

After Zerk graduated, the couple moved to the Delta town of Drew then on to Yazoo City where he began a coaching career, and Gladys worked at the King’s Daughters Hospital. During this time Gladys gave birth to Robert B. “Zerk” Wilson, Jr. and soon after Michael Zerk “Bubba” Wilson. From Yazoo City they moved south to Laurel where Lillian Lee Wilson was born. Gladys continued her lab work in hospitals until 1966 when the family returned to Tupelo where Zerk Sr. started Better Brands Distributing. Gladys ran the office, but caring for her family was her first love and main purpose.

Quietly Gladys went about supporting her children at every sporting event in which they participated. She did the same for her grandchildren. Gladys enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, and, of course, golfing with her friends, children, and grandchildren. She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church for over fifty years.

Gladys is survived by her son, Robert B. “Zerk” Wilson, Jr. (Debbie) of Nacogdoches, Texas; daughter Lillian Lee Wilson Reeder (Jeff) of Tupelo, Mississippi; grandchildren, Bob Wilson (Smith) of Albany, Georgia, Matt Wilson (Nona) of Madison, Mississippi, Brian Wilson (Courtney) of Jacksonville, Florida, Brad Wilson of Nashville, Tennessee, Brittany Wilson Kubala (Josh) of Jacksonville, Florida, Kirk Reeder (Destiny) of Greenwood Springs, Mississippi, and Ross Reeder of Tupelo, Mississippi; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband; parents; son, Bubba; brothers, Bill Ford and Robert Lee Ford, Sr.; and grandson, Robert Wilson Reeder.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday, November 5, 2026 in McFadden Hall at First Presbyterian Church. The service will begin at 3 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary with Reverend John Brock officiating. Inurnment will follow at Stuart Garden. Pegues Funeral Directors have been entrusted with the care of her arrangements. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Bob Wilson, Matt Wilson, Brian Wilson, Brad Wilson, Kirk Reeder, and Ross Reeder.

In lieu of flowers, the family request for memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church Capital Fund, P. O. Box 1725, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com