Gwenlyn "Gwen" Wilson's Obituary
Gwenlyn Lee Ford Wilson, age 85, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on April 3, 2026. She is now spending eternity in the Presence of the Lord.
She was born on November 26, 1940, in Carthage, Missouri, to Hazel Marie Porter and Howard Eugene Ford.
Gwen married Donald Wilson on June 7, 1975, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love, family, and travel. They especially cherished their time spent at their Florida condo, where Gwen enjoyed relaxing by the ocean with a good book.
She is survived by her sons, Eddie Carmichael of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rick Carmichael of Verona, Missouri, and Scott Carmichael of Shell Knob, Missouri; her stepsons, Phillip Wilson (Janet) of Tulsa and Kyle Wilson (Julie) of Half Moon Bay, California; her grandchildren, Eliot Carmichael, Aaron Carmichael, Christine Reddy, Rick Carmichael, and Bryan Carmichael; her step-grandchildren, Eli Wilson, Ella Wilson, and Marissa Wilson; as well as nine great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings, Barry Ford (Peggy) of Carl Junction, Missouri; Abbie Woods of Huntington Beach, California; Jeanne Joiner (Jeff) of Salado, Texas; Claudia Cook; and Debbie Grove of California, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Gwen was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Marie Porter Phillips; her father and stepmother, Gene and Lillian Ford; her brother, Larry Ford; her daughter in-law, Debbie Carmichael; her granddaughter, Sarah Carmichael; her great-granddaughter, Hayley Carmichael; her niece, Courtney Woods; her great-niece, Anna Belle Iles; and her nephew, Larry Wayne Ford.
Gwen had a special love for her family and took great joy in her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She had a playful spirit and wasn’t fazed by the messier parts of raising boys, which made her a wonderful and devoted “boy mom.”
Her faith was the foundation of her life. Gwen placed deep trust in Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and her greatest wish was for her family to trust and follow Him.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God's Garden
God looked around the garden, And found an empty space.
He looked down upon the earth, And saw your precious face.
He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest;
God's garden must be beautiful For He only takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain.
He knew you'd never ever, Get well on earth again.
So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered, "Peace be thine."
Then He took you up to heaven With hands so gentle and kind.
It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.
In lieu of a formal service, the family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of Gwenlyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gwenlyn?
Share a story where Gwenlyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gwenlyn you’ll never forget.
How did Gwenlyn make you smile?

