Esley Maxine Wilson, 89, of Mount Vernon, IL, passed away January 19, 2026 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri. She was born July 28, 1936 in Bernie, MO to the Late Berton Lyons and Mary (Goldman) Lyons. In 1954 Maxine married her husband James T. Wilson at the First Methodist Chuch in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She is survived by her two sons,David of Mt. Vernon, IL and Joe of Orrville, Ohio; Several nieces and nephews of Southern, IL, St. Louis area and Florida.

Maxine was preceded in death by her Father, Berton  Lyons, Mother, Mary Lyons; Husband James T. Wilson; Three Sisters, and Four Brothers.

Maxine graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1954 and Magna Cum Laude From Illinois Valley Community College with a degree in Nursing in 1969.

Maxine was a devoted wife, caring mother and home maker. She worked as a registered nurse in Southern Illinois during the 1970’s. She was employed at Lawnwod Regional Medical Center in Ft. Pierce, FL from 1979 until her retirement in 1999.

Maxine accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1988. Over the years she was faithful member at Chapel by the Sea and then Westside Baptist Church in Ft. Peirce. She has been a member at Logan Street Baptist Church since 1999.  She and her husband Jim served in the homebound and nursing home ministry for a number of years at Logan Street Baptist.

A Visitation will be held Monday, January 26, 2026  from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, IL. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, IL with Reverend Alan Smith and Reverend Steve Lyles officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Mount Vernon, IL. Memorials may be made in Esley Maxine ‘s honor to Carmi Baptist Children’s Home.