Lorna Jean Marshall

Lorna Jean Marshall Wilson, age 89 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died August 4, 2019, at Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City. Mrs. Wilson was born June 30, 1930, in St. Louis, Mo., to Frank O. and Alice Campbell Marshall, both deceased. She was married in St. Louis, to Judge McCormick V. Wilson on May 5, 1952. Judge Wilson preceded her in death, on November 5, 2006. Mrs. Wilson attended elementary and high school in St. Louis, and attended Washington University, obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, in 1953. After completing her nursing degree, Mrs. Wilson moved to Jefferson City to be with her husband who had begun practicing law there, in 1951. In addition to her degree in nursing, Mrs. Wilson received a Master of Science degree in Public Health from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1980, and prior to that received her Teacher Certification in Health, K-12, by taking education and other necessary courses at Lincoln University. She was recognized in Missouri as having been licensed as a professional nurse for over 50 years, beginning in 1953. She began her nursing career in Jefferson City, at St. Mary's Hospital, and then by being an office nurse for Dr. William Von McKnelly. Soon she was raising children, and did not return to the working world until she became a school nurse for the Jefferson City Public Schools in 1968. She was Director of School Health Services from 1974 until 1976 when she was appointed Director of the Cole County Health Department by the Cole County Commission (then Court). At the Cole County Health Department, the services grew in scope, including home health for home bound sick or disabled citizens, school health services, maternal and child health services, control of communicable diseases and use of the mobile health van "Old Blue", donated by the regional library. In August of 1984, she was named Director of the Division of Local Health and Institutional Services, at the Missouri Department of Health. This included being responsible for relationships with the (then) 112 local public health agencies, 13 state District Offices, and oversight of the 100 bed hospital at Mount Vernon, Mo., which was converting from a chronic disease hospital to a Rehabilitation Center, specializing in traumatic brain injuries. Mrs. Wilson was appointed Director of the Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health in the Department of Health in 1989, and served there until 1993. She was responsible for Title V, the federal funding for maternal and child health programs, Children with Special Care Needs, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Day Care Food Program and many other services. Mrs. Wilson left the Department of Health to begin a new career in consulting. Along with Margaret Yoak O'Neil, she began a new business called Wilson Yoak Associates, Inc., where she consulted with local, state and federal public health agencies in the areas of planning, management, training, assessment and evaluation. She was also Executive Director and Consultant to the Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies (MoALPHA) from 1993 until 2004. Mrs. Wilson was the second female Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association/Missouri Affiliate, from 1979 to 1981. She was Adjunct Faculty at the St. Louis University School of Public Health in St. Louis beginning in 1992. She was a member of the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Public Health from 1998 until 2003; a member of the Missouri Public Health Association from 1974 on, and the recipient of the W. Scott Johnson Award for excellence in public health in 1994. She was a Board member of the Missouri Public Health Foundation; and an active member in many other public health associations and Boards. She received the first annual "Mentor" Award from the Association of Local Public Health agencies, in 2001. Mrs. Wilson completed a history of the development of local public health agencies in Missouri in 2007. Mrs. Wilson moved to the family's beloved farm in Moniteau County, following the death of her husband McCormick Wilson. She was welcomed by the community and enjoyed eight years with her close companion Macy, a black Labrador. Needless to say, Mrs. Wilson had other interests besides public health. She loved her husband of 54 years, and enjoyed their travels and their farm and their friends. She loved her church and was a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City. She loved her children and their families very much. Mrs. Wilson is survived by four children and their families: Marshall V. Wilson, his wife Josee and their children Katy (husband Chris and their daughter Anna) and John (wife Ellen); Dr. Samuel M. Wilson (wife Cornelia Wolf) and their children Cornelia (husband Davey) and Marshall; Missouri Supreme Court Judge Paul C. Wilson, his wife Laura and their children Meredith and Alice; Kathleen M. Sinclair, (husband Dr. Robert Sinclair) and their children, Wilson, McCormick and James. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 54 years, McCormick "Mac"; her sister, Kathleen E. Damon; and her beloved dog, Macy. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. David Henry officiating. Private graveside service and interment will be at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, 324 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com