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With broken hearts, we report that we are out of the chocolate cake today. Mrs. Jeannette Stalls Wilson, famous for her 10-layer chocolate cakes, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at her home in Indian Land, South Carolina; she was 83 years old.

Born on June 4, 1937, she was widow of the late Dr. Charles Wilson, DDS of Marshville, and the daughter of the late Mack and Alice (Roberson) Stalls. About those cakes … she never seemed to get the layers measured quite right so they usually ranged between nine and twelve layers, but believe me, no one complained. The taste was always perfect and loved by all, just like Jeannette. One friend quoted, “I’ve never known a better soul.”

Jeannette (“Net” as referred to by her granddaughters) grew up in Batts Crossroads, near Washington. She graduated from Washington High School in 1955, and Wilson Nurses Training School in 1958. She and Charles (a.k.a. ‘Doc’) were married on Sept. 12, 1959. She worked as an RN while Doc completed dental school and they moved to Marshville, NC in 1962 to start a family. She returned to nursing in 1986, then worked with her husband until their joint retirement when they moved to Oak Island. Jeannette moved to Indian Land, in 2006. She joined and became active in a new church, Faith Presbyterian in Indian Land, helping with church breakfasts, sending cards to the sick and nursery duties. Previously, her whole family was active in First Baptist Church of Marshville, where she started the pre-school program, served as a teacher, worked in the nursery as often as possible, served as deacon and many other roles.

Jeannette was a wonderful southern cook and had quite the green thumb — a wonderful pairing. She grew up on a farm, and she and Charles always had a garden. Her sunroom is full of flowers and plants — one that she received when her daughter Elizabeth was born in 1974.

She and Doc loved to travel, from camping/RVing across the country, to Bermuda, Hong Kong and more. They also participated in mission trips to Romania and Elderhostel trips in the U.S. and Costa Rica. After Charles’ death, she continued to travel and visited many countries with her sister and friends in the past few years. She had so many lifelong friends in Marshville from her close-knit neighborhood, bridge clubs, money managers club, church family and more.

In addition to her parents and husband she is preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Wilson, a sister, Brenda Waters, and two brothers, Doug and Reginald Stalls.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Chris (Anita) Wilson, of Greensboro, Jan (Ems) Baskin, of Cameron, S.C., and Steven (Christopher Jones) Wilson, of Charlotte; three granddaughters, Mallory Elizabeth Baskin, Mackenzie (James) Grayson and Madison Baskin. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by one sister, Sandra (Bobby) Rhodes, of Washington; and three brothers, Ken (Beth) Stalls, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Mack Burras Stalls, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and Phil Stalls of Greenville; as well many nieces and nephews.

The family gathered at Morgan & Son Funeral Home on Sunday, June 14, 2020, followed by a graveside service at the Marshville City Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the friends and family that have sent condolences from around the globe.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elizabeth Wilson Scholarship (First Baptist Church, Marshville), National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte.

Morgan & Son Funeral Home is caring for the Wilson family.