Carol Ellie Burris Wilson

Mrs. Carol Ellie Burris Wilson, age 74, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Born on October 13, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Ellie Burris, Jr. and Janie Edgar McKeown Love Burris.

Carol was raised in the Sharon community within a farming family whose agricultural legacy dates back to the 1700s. Growing up, she greatly enjoyed helping her father, who often referred to her as “his best farm hand.” Carol graduated as Valedictorian from the York High School Class of 1969. She attended Winthrop College, finishing in only three years with a double-major in English and Sociology. She also finished first in her college class, earning the Tillman Award. She met the love of her life, Jeff Wilson, when he was a guest speaker at Bethelwoods Christian Camp, where he was relaying his experiences serving our country in Thailand during the Vietnam war. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, 1972.

She worked for the Department of Social Services and then for the York County Family Court where she helped foster children throughout York County. After her daughter was born, Carol made the decision to stay home and raise her children. Her children credit much of who they are and all they have accomplished personally and professionally to her loving care, steadfast encouragement, and faithful example.

Her greatest life’s work was truly her dedication to her children and grandchildren, and supporting her husband in his farming operation, Cotton Hills Farm. She kept the accounts and provided wonderful meals to sustain them through the long days. She also worked intermittently in social work, serving as the first social worker for the Chester Dialysis Center and then as a social worker supporting child victims of sexual assault. Later, she was instrumental in starting and managing the agritourism offerings, including field trips, at Cotton Hills Farm.

Carol was a dedicated member of Zion Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lowrys, where she taught Sunday School, faithfully attended and led monthly Circle meetings, coordinated Vacation Bible School which she invited many community children to attend, and served in various leadership positions within the Women in the Church, including President several times. She found great joy in studying the Word of God and became very involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Her prayer life reflected her deep faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and she cared deeply about the lives of her brothers and sisters in Christ. She experienced the sustaining power of prayer throughout her life, including when she nearly lost her own life during the birth of her stillborn son, James Scott, and later when she recovered from a major stroke that occurred in her late 30s.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bruce Beaty Love, Jr.; her sister, Jane Love Starnes; her sister, Ann Burris Hawley; and her infant son, James Scott Wilson.

Carol is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jefferson Henry Wilson, daughter Ellie Brooke Wilson Clinton (Matt) of Sharon, sons Jefferson Ephraim Burris “J.E.B.” Wilson (Jane) of Lowrys and Peter Bruce Wilson (Caroline) of Lowrys, eight grandchildren - Thomas Roy Clinton, Malcolm “Mac” Jefferson Wilson, Tucker Wilson Clinton, EllieAnne Rose "Annie" Clinton, Burris Davidson Wilson, James Charles Wilson, Isaac Henry Wilson, and Sutton Mae Wilson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Love, and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Hawley, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Zion Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lowrys on Wednesday, August 12th, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Zion Presbyterian Church (PCA) on Thursday, August 13th, at 4:00 p.m., with burial to follow at Zion Cemetery.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Carol’s faithful caregiver, Gail Rockholt, whose devotion and loving presence meant more than words can express, and to Nicole Ashe for the support she also provided. We are profoundly grateful to Agape Care Hospice for its exceptional service, as well as to the doctors, nurses, and staff of MUSC Health Chester Medical Center and Chester Nursing Center. The tenderness, dignity, and compassion each of you showed Carol—and the grace you extended to our entire family—left us humbled and forever thankful.

Flowers are welcome or memorials can be made to Zion Presbyterian Church, 2219 The Avenue, Chester, SC 29706.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.