Lenore “Lee” Larson Wilson

Lenore “Lee” Larson Wilson, 85, of Morganton, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2016 with her family by her side. Born in Bismarck, ND on May 17,1931, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Leonard W. Larson and Rebecca Miller Larson. Lee’s father was the president of the American Medical Association from 1961-1962 and was a pioneer of forensic medicine. Lee attended Radcliffe College in Cambridge, MA where she met and married her first husband, John Collett, father of her seven children. Her passions were reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. Lee lived a wonderful life with her second husband, John Bernhardt Wilson: with happy times traveling, reading novels, and cooking. She was the founder of Lee’s Greenery in Banner Elk, NC and adored her many employees and vendors. Mrs. Wilson had a brilliant mind and spirited sense of humor. Her kindness to everyone was exceptional in nature. Lee is survived by her children, Rebecca “Becky” Larson Collett, Adeline “Dell” Collett Apperson, John Collett and wife, Virginia “Ginny”, Sallie Collett Prouty, Robert Collett and wife, Dawn, Victoria “Vicky” Collett Mitchener and husband, William “Bill”, and Tod Windfield Collett; and grandchildren, Rebecca Adeline Apperson, Sarah Leigh Apperson, John Chao, Robby Chao, John Collett III, Coley Ruffin Collett, Adeline Lucille Collett, Harlyn Nathaniel Prouty, Taylor Larson Prouty, Ruffin Collett Mitchener, Victoria Larson Mitchener, Mary Carton Mitchener, Lee Caldwell Collett, Robert Crayton Collett and Arlie England Collett.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her first husband, John Collett, second husband John Bernhardt Wilson and her sister, Margery Larson Mitchell.

The graveside service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Forest Hill Cemetery, at the corner of Valdese Ave and Huffman St, with the Rev. Parker Williamson officiating.

The family would like to thank Gautonya “Tonya” Reece and Trimmel “Trick” Lipscomb for their tender, loving care of Lee for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Library Foundation of Burke County, 204 South King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory center is assisting the family with the arrangements.