Mary Lou Wilson

Mary Lou Wilson, beloved by her family and friends, was known as a respected teacher, gracious host, thoughtful friend, and kind soul. Above all, she valued her relationship with God, her family, friends, and the natural world—elements of life she wrote about frequently in her many journals.

Surrounded by her daughter, Susan Wilson Alden, and grandson, James Garrett Alden, Mary Lou passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin, Tennessee, on September 25th, 2025. 

Mary Lou graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and earned a Master’s degree in Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. As an educator, she taught students of all ages and helped establish the Head Start program in Williamson County. In 1977, she founded the preschool at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

An avid tennis player, Mary Lou used her skills to coach young players—from beginners to high school varsity athletes. During the summers, she ran tennis camps for developing players on the family’s beloved Quail Creek Farm in Arrington.

Mary Lou was passionate about health, the great outdoors, spiritual growth, history, and the arts.She led workshops and retreats focused on holistic health and wellness and served as the loving caretaker of the Grouse Run Medicine Wheel. She was also a talented writer and storyteller who loved sharing her gifts in schools, women’s circles, and workshops across the Southeast.

She was the daughter of the late Robert Love Garrett and Henrietta Raymer Garrett and was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Ed Wilson; sisters, Beverly and Juanita Garrett; and brother, Larry Garrett. 

Mary Lou is survived by her sisters, Helen Palmer and Becky Sanders; her brother, Tommy Garrett; her daughter, Susan Alden; son-in-law, James Alden; and two grandsons, Garrett and Rylee Alden.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor, as well as in honor of her late husband, Ed Wilson, on March 14th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 101 Legends Club Lane, Franklin, TN 37069.Mary Lou’s legacy of kindness, wisdom, generosity, and love will live on in the lives she touched and the stories she shared.