Gwendolyn Payne Wesson, eldest daughter of Robert Andrew and Dora Plemons Payne, died at her residence on Friday, December 30, 2022. Mrs. Wesson celebrated her 100th birthday on January 15, 2022, and had enjoyed an active life until her health declined in 2021.
Following her graduation from Morgan County High School in 1939, she attended Judson College and Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University). She married Henry J. Wesson, of Brewton, Alabama, on January 12, 1946, following his discharge from military service during WWII. They shared life together until his death on December 21, 2003. The Wessons had two children: Jane Ellen Wesson Turney (Doug) and Robert Edward Wesson (Kathy).
Mrs. Wesson received Jesus as her Savior at an early age and joined First Baptist Church of Hartselle. Following her years as a homemaker, she became church secretary at First Baptist where she served for eighteen years. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed travel and time with friends. She was known for her jolly personality and “Gwenisms” – the many witty sayings she shared with friends, family, and strangers alike. Two of those shared in her later years were “I know more folks in Heaven than I know in Hartselle,” and ”The first hundred years are the hardest.”
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Wesson was preceded in death by her sister, Nelle Payne, and her daughter in law, Bobbie Smith Wesson. She is survived by her children and beloved grandchildren, Richard Preston Turney (Penny), Springville, Alabama; Carol Ann Turney, Nashville, Tennessee; Clay Edward Wesson (Anna), McMinnville, Oregon; Elizabeth Anne Wesson Limbaugh (Patrick), Birmingham, Alabama.
Precious great grandchildren are Payne Keith Turney, Birmingham; Arthur Douglas Turney, Springville; Charlize Joan Limbaugh, Birmingham; Henry Thomas Wesson, McMinnville; and Nova Claire Limbaugh, Birmingham. Pallbearers will be Steve McKee, Barry Pearson, Butch Waldrop, David Burleson, Keith Turney and Doug Turney.
Funeral worship service will be held at First Baptist Church at 1:00P.M. Friday, January 6, 2023 with Bro. Clayton Speed and Bro. Charles Shaddix officiating. Visitation will be from 12, noon until service time. Burial will be in Hartselle City Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the precious ladies who so lovingly and generously gave of themselves to care for “Mama G” and fill her days with joy in the last months of her life here.
