Melba "Sue" Wilson

Melba "Sue" Wilson (Littleton), 81, of Bethalto celebrated her homecoming in Heaven on the morning of Monday, October 10th, 2016, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. The daughter of Marvin E. and Ruth Elizabeth (Milligan) Littleton, Sr., she was born October 29, 1934 in Rutherford, Tennessee. She graduated from Roxana Senior High School in 1954 and spent her adult life in the greater Alton area. She married Carl W. Wilson on May 5, 1955 and he preceded her in death in 1977. Mrs. Wilson would say her highest achievement was her beloved family and her greatest joy was being loved and forgiven by Jesus Christ. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, continuing her investment of character, integrity and wisdom -- her invaluable legacy. Determination was one of Sue's great strengths, and she fought through grief and the trials of life with self-discipline, striving always to be obedient to Christ’s teachings. In addition to her husband, Carl, preceding her in death were her parents Marvin Sr. and Ruth, brothers, Joe and Jackie, and sister, Carolyn. She is survived by daughters: Carla (Lyle) Zeller of Frisco, TX; Nelma (Michael) Lawton of Hillsboro; Becky (Mark) Unnerstall of Alton, and her son, Keith Wilson of Columbia, MO; granddaughters: Brooke (Todd) Ogle, Lauren (Paul) Selberg, grandsons Terry Franklin, Derek (Sierra) Maguire, Philip (Eryn) Zeller, Dustin Maguire, Chip Unnerstall, and Branden Unnerstall of Alton and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Marvin ‘Red’ (Helen) Littleton, Michael Littleton, and one sister, Pat (William) Gilbert, and her husband’s siblings: Alvira (Wilson) Radley, and Nelma (Wilson) Roach, and Gerald Wilson, and a number of cousins and nieces and nephews. Her entire family deeply loved her and is profoundly feeling the loss of this humble and gentle woman who was an example for all in her love for others and her unfaltering dedication to Christ. Thursday morning, October 13th, the family will receive friends at Pitchford Funeral Home with visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 and a celebration of life service at 10:30 with Pastor Dave Stratmann officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mrs. Wilson’s honor to Wanda United Methodist Church, Wanda Illinois.