Five decades ago, Dorothy Lee Wilson persuaded her husband to take a family vacation, and it led to the creation of the nation's largest hotel chain.
Mrs. Wilson died Saturday at Baptist Memorial Hospital East of head injuries from an accidental fall. She was 84.
Her husband of 59 years, Kemmons Wilson, credits Mrs. Wilson with helping him create Holiday Inns, the pioneering hotel chain founded in Memphis.
Wilson started the company in 1952, following a family vacation that convinced him of the need for standardized lodgings across the nation.
Mrs. Wilson's "encouragement and unwavering support served to fuel his determination to succeed," family members said.
In addition to being the wife of a legendary entrepreneur, Mrs. Wilson was a devoted, nationally recognized mother.
In 1970, she was honored as the Tennessee Mother of the Year and was subsequently named American Mother of the Year. President Richard M. Nixon presented her the national award in a ceremony at the White House.
Her children said Mrs. Wilson devoted her life to providing them "love, guidance and wisdom." She particularly enjoyed her annual trips with "the girls," her two daughters and three daughters-in-law.
Mrs. Wilson's caring for children is reflected in her philanthropic support for schools and other institutions.
With her help, the Wilson Field House is being added to Briarcrest Christian School's Saints Sportsplex. At the Hutchison School, the recently announced Dorothy Lee Wilson Learning Center houses a library and technology center.
Mrs. Wilson's gift to the Memphis University School in honor of her husband established the Kemmons Wilson Counseling and Leadership Development Center.
At the Pink Palace Museum, the Dorothy and Kemmons Wilson Wing includes a replica of the first Holiday Inn room. And the Wilson Room at the University of Alabama College of Commerce and Business Administration was named in honor of the Wilsons.
Mrs. Wilson was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church for 44 years.
She enjoyed playing tennis, and was a member of the East Memphis Garden Club, Le Bonheur Club, Women's Exchange, Community Bible Study and TNT Investment Club.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wilson leaves three sons, Spence L. Wilson, Robert A. Wilson, and Kemmons Wilson Jr., and two daughters, Betty Wilson Moore and Carole Wilson West, all of Memphis; two sisters, Margaret Richardson of Southaven and Ruby Owings of Germantown; a brother, A.C. Lee of Memphis, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church.
Forest Hill Funeral Home-Midtown has charge.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Christ United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Published in the Commercial Appeal on 2-11-2001
Mrs. Wilson died Saturday at Baptist Memorial Hospital East of head injuries from an accidental fall. She was 84.
Her husband of 59 years, Kemmons Wilson, credits Mrs. Wilson with helping him create Holiday Inns, the pioneering hotel chain founded in Memphis.
Wilson started the company in 1952, following a family vacation that convinced him of the need for standardized lodgings across the nation.
Mrs. Wilson's "encouragement and unwavering support served to fuel his determination to succeed," family members said.
In addition to being the wife of a legendary entrepreneur, Mrs. Wilson was a devoted, nationally recognized mother.
In 1970, she was honored as the Tennessee Mother of the Year and was subsequently named American Mother of the Year. President Richard M. Nixon presented her the national award in a ceremony at the White House.
Her children said Mrs. Wilson devoted her life to providing them "love, guidance and wisdom." She particularly enjoyed her annual trips with "the girls," her two daughters and three daughters-in-law.
Mrs. Wilson's caring for children is reflected in her philanthropic support for schools and other institutions.
With her help, the Wilson Field House is being added to Briarcrest Christian School's Saints Sportsplex. At the Hutchison School, the recently announced Dorothy Lee Wilson Learning Center houses a library and technology center.
Mrs. Wilson's gift to the Memphis University School in honor of her husband established the Kemmons Wilson Counseling and Leadership Development Center.
At the Pink Palace Museum, the Dorothy and Kemmons Wilson Wing includes a replica of the first Holiday Inn room. And the Wilson Room at the University of Alabama College of Commerce and Business Administration was named in honor of the Wilsons.
Mrs. Wilson was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church for 44 years.
She enjoyed playing tennis, and was a member of the East Memphis Garden Club, Le Bonheur Club, Women's Exchange, Community Bible Study and TNT Investment Club.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wilson leaves three sons, Spence L. Wilson, Robert A. Wilson, and Kemmons Wilson Jr., and two daughters, Betty Wilson Moore and Carole Wilson West, all of Memphis; two sisters, Margaret Richardson of Southaven and Ruby Owings of Germantown; a brother, A.C. Lee of Memphis, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church.
Forest Hill Funeral Home-Midtown has charge.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Christ United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Published in the Commercial Appeal on 2-11-2001
Five decades ago, Dorothy Lee Wilson persuaded her husband to take a family vacation, and it led to the creation of the nation's largest hotel chain.
Mrs. Wilson died Saturday at Baptist Memorial Hospital East of head injuries from an accidental fall. She was 84.
Her husband of 59 years, Kemmons Wilson, credits Mrs. Wilson with helping him create Holiday Inns, the pioneering hotel chain founded in Memphis.
Wilson started the company in 1952, following a family vacation that convinced him of the need for standardized lodgings across the nation.
Mrs. Wilson's "encouragement and unwavering support served to fuel his determination to succeed," family members said.
In addition to being the wife of a legendary entrepreneur, Mrs. Wilson was a devoted, nationally recognized mother.
In 1970, she was honored as the Tennessee Mother of the Year and was subsequently named American Mother of the Year. President Richard M. Nixon presented her the national award in a ceremony at the White House.
Her children said Mrs. Wilson devoted her life to providing them "love, guidance and wisdom." She particularly enjoyed her annual trips with "the girls," her two daughters and three daughters-in-law.
Mrs. Wilson's caring for children is reflected in her philanthropic support for schools and other institutions.
With her help, the Wilson Field House is being added to Briarcrest Christian School's Saints Sportsplex. At the Hutchison School, the recently announced Dorothy Lee Wilson Learning Center houses a library and technology center.
Mrs. Wilson's gift to the Memphis University School in honor of her husband established the Kemmons Wilson Counseling and Leadership Development Center.
At the Pink Palace Museum, the Dorothy and Kemmons Wilson Wing includes a replica of the first Holiday Inn room. And the Wilson Room at the University of Alabama College of Commerce and Business Administration was named in honor of the Wilsons.
Mrs. Wilson was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church for 44 years.
She enjoyed playing tennis, and was a member of the East Memphis Garden Club, Le Bonheur Club, Women's Exchange, Community Bible Study and TNT Investment Club.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wilson leaves three sons, Spence L. Wilson, Robert A. Wilson, and Kemmons Wilson Jr., and two daughters, Betty Wilson Moore and Carole Wilson West, all of Memphis; two sisters, Margaret Richardson of Southaven and Ruby Owings of Germantown; a brother, A.C. Lee of Memphis, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church.
Forest Hill Funeral Home-Midtown has charge.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Christ United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Published in the Commercial Appeal on 2-11-2001
Mrs. Wilson died Saturday at Baptist Memorial Hospital East of head injuries from an accidental fall. She was 84.
Her husband of 59 years, Kemmons Wilson, credits Mrs. Wilson with helping him create Holiday Inns, the pioneering hotel chain founded in Memphis.
Wilson started the company in 1952, following a family vacation that convinced him of the need for standardized lodgings across the nation.
Mrs. Wilson's "encouragement and unwavering support served to fuel his determination to succeed," family members said.
In addition to being the wife of a legendary entrepreneur, Mrs. Wilson was a devoted, nationally recognized mother.
In 1970, she was honored as the Tennessee Mother of the Year and was subsequently named American Mother of the Year. President Richard M. Nixon presented her the national award in a ceremony at the White House.
Her children said Mrs. Wilson devoted her life to providing them "love, guidance and wisdom." She particularly enjoyed her annual trips with "the girls," her two daughters and three daughters-in-law.
Mrs. Wilson's caring for children is reflected in her philanthropic support for schools and other institutions.
With her help, the Wilson Field House is being added to Briarcrest Christian School's Saints Sportsplex. At the Hutchison School, the recently announced Dorothy Lee Wilson Learning Center houses a library and technology center.
Mrs. Wilson's gift to the Memphis University School in honor of her husband established the Kemmons Wilson Counseling and Leadership Development Center.
At the Pink Palace Museum, the Dorothy and Kemmons Wilson Wing includes a replica of the first Holiday Inn room. And the Wilson Room at the University of Alabama College of Commerce and Business Administration was named in honor of the Wilsons.
Mrs. Wilson was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church for 44 years.
She enjoyed playing tennis, and was a member of the East Memphis Garden Club, Le Bonheur Club, Women's Exchange, Community Bible Study and TNT Investment Club.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wilson leaves three sons, Spence L. Wilson, Robert A. Wilson, and Kemmons Wilson Jr., and two daughters, Betty Wilson Moore and Carole Wilson West, all of Memphis; two sisters, Margaret Richardson of Southaven and Ruby Owings of Germantown; a brother, A.C. Lee of Memphis, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church.
Forest Hill Funeral Home-Midtown has charge.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Christ United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Published in the Commercial Appeal on 2-11-2001
Gravesite Details
s/w Charles Kemmons Wilson
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