Mother Ardis Rock Zeno Wilson was born on Oct. 10, 1923, in Leesville. Her
parents, the late, Sylvester Rock and Idabell Martin, preceded her in death and son, Linzy Velt Smith; sister, Jeannie Metter Rock; three brothers, Elijah, Richard, Frank Rock and 4 grandchildren.
She was married three times and they all
preceded her in death, Herman Smith, Leroy Zeno, Sr. and John Wilson.
Mother Wilson moved from Leesville to Natchez. She then moved from Natchez to Chicago and finally back to Leesville where she resided permanently until she exchanged
time for eternity on July 21, 2011 at the Byrd Regional Hospital.
Mother Wilson and family were active members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late Rev. D. L. Carter and the late Rev. Monroe Harrison.
She later became a member of the Johnson Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the tutelage of the late Elder C. J. Johnson, and was at present a member of Johnson Temple C.O.G.I.C under the tutelage of Superintendent Maurice Johnson, Pastor. She was the epitome
of what love had to do with her children, grandchildren and other mother’s children.
Thank you God for the 87 years you allowed us to learn from our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Those unique qualities that formed us into
the individuals we are today…loving, caring, compassionate and most importantly for sharing her with us.
Left to cherish her beautiful memories are one brother, Sylvester Rock, Jr. of Leesville; one sister, Sharon Crowell of Hawthorne;
five sons, one preceded her in death (Linzy Velt Smith), Vandell Smith of Jena, Leroy Jr., Clifford and Eddie Zeno all of Leesville, five daughters, Barbara Zeno (Willie) Williams of Fort Hood, Texas, Joanne Zeno (Jeffrey) Carson of Marietta, Ga.,
Dorothy Zeno of Leesville, Bobbie Zeno (John) Cole of Leesville, Joyce Zeno Atwater of Natchitoches; 33 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and the Johnson Temple Church family
and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 30 in the Johnson Temple C.O.G.I.C. in Leesville under the direction of the Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.