Wilma Allen Lyons passed away Sunday morning, September 13, 2020 at home with family.  She was 87.  She was born on December 15, 1932 to Bill and Leslie Allen, in Fayette, MS, but was a lifelong resident of Vicksburg.  Wilma was a graduate of Redwood High School in 1950 where she was a star basketball player and named Miss Redwood High School, Most Athletic and Most Beautiful.  She received her nursing degree and retired from Mercy Hospital/River Region and private duty nursing with a combined service of over 44 years.  Wilma was married to Shearwood Winston Lyons, Sr. for 70 years.  She was a member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Leslie Owen Allen; two sisters, her twin, Wydell Shiers, and Helen Ruth Bullen. Mrs. Lyons is survived by her husband and love of her life, Shearwood W. Lyons, Sr.; her sister, Beverly Allen Davidson of Edwards; three sons, Sherwood W. Lyons, Jr. (Melissa Lum), Joseph A. Lyons, Sr. (Cindy Bowen), Michael O. Lyons (Kayla Cook); two daughters, Vickie Lyons Williamson (Darrell) and Belynda Lyons Waring (Howard) all of Vicksburg; fourteen grandchildren, Winston Lyons, Cassidy Pickens, Allen Lyons (LeeAnna), Craig Williamson (Kala), Cris Williamson (Stacie), Michael David Williamson, Joseph Lyons (Shannon), Laura Beth Strickland (Michael), Leslie Hosemann (Mark), Charles Waring (Lauren), Natalie Muirhead (Jordan), Pierson Waring (Madelon), Kyle Bolton and Elan Lyons; and twenty-four great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Lyons, Presley Pickens, Slade, Adelyn, and Anna Layne Lyons; Josh and Kinley Williamson; Mollee, Gracie, Jake, Edge, Reason, and Michael Maeze Williamson; Reese, Joseph and Crosby Lyons; May and Michael Lanier Strickland; Manse and Howard Hosemann; Daniel and Mary Cline Waring.  She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue,  in the chapel followed by a service at 2 p.m. with Reverend John Evans officiating. A graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery following the service.  Music will be provided by Anne Elizabeth Buys and Austin Crabtree.  Her grandsons, Allen Lyons, Craig Williamson, Cris Williamson, Michael David Williamson, Joseph Lyons, Jr., Charles Waring, and Pierson Waring will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Winston Lyons, Kyle Bolton, Elan Lyons and Craig Allen.

The family gives thanks to doctors, Russell Barnes, Lee Giffin, Henry M. Jarmon, Kendrick Sparks, the Emergency and ICU staff at River Region, Kindred Hospice, Rita Adams and to her caregivers, Mary King, Kathy Bowen, Rosemary Dunmore, and her angel Carolyn Barnes.  She loved the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was always caring for others.  Her greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The family requests all memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.