Ann Bilbo Wiltshire

Ann Bilbo Wiltshire 1933 - 2025

Ann Bilbo Wiltshire of McComb, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, at the age of 91 surrounded by her family.

Visitation is 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb, with funeral services there at 11 a.m., followed by a family graveside service. Rev. Vicki Landrum will officiate. Hartman-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Linda

Ann Bilbo was born on Sept. 27, 1933 to Linda Brumfield Bilbo and William Abel Bilbo, Jr. of Magnolia. Ann’s father taught math and coached baseball at Magnolia High School, and her mother owned and operated Lindale Florist. Later, her father had a dairy farm in Magnolia, where Ann and her younger brother Bo grew up. Ann’s best friend from childhood was Dee Ford Bainton, and they were inseparable. In addition to her long friendship with Dee, Ann was a devoted piano student of Miss Grace Leggett in Magnolia, where she studied for 12 years and developed a lifelong appreciation for piano.

Ann attended college at “Mississippi Southern,” where she pledged Kappa Delta Sorority and majored in English. During her freshman year, she began to date William Anderson “Bill” Wiltshire, who was also from Magnolia.

Bill and Ann were married on Aug. 27, 1951, at Magnolia United Methodist Church. Afterward, she and Bill moved to Oxford, where he was attending the University Of Mississippi School Of Law.

At Ole Miss, Ann worked as secretary to Dr. Arthur Guyton, and over a period of two years was responsible for typing and editing the manuscripts of his renowned Textbook of Medical Physiology. It was a challenging but rewarding opportunity, and Dr. Guyton thanked Ann for her skills in his published textbook.

In 1955, Ann and Bill moved to McComb, where Bill opened a law office. They had three daughters, Diane, Lauren and Jennifer. The girls and their friends and families brought many years of joy, laughter and entertainment to Ann and Bill.

Ann actively volunteered at her children’s schools and at Centenary United Methodist Church, where she remained a devoted member until her passing.

Ann continued to be involved with Kappa Delta Sorority, both locally and as a national officer. She was awarded the Order of the Emerald by the national office of Kappa Delta for outstanding service. She was also a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary of McComb and was Azalea Queen in 1987.

Ann was coowner of East West Antiques, together with her daughter, Diane. For over 25 years, they operated an international business specializing in antique Japanese textiles. They are coauthors of the book, Design with Japanese Obi.

In her spare time, she cultivated an English Rose garden with over 60 varieties. Many members of the McComb community fondly remember the bouquets of fresh-cut roses she enjoyed sharing with friends and family.

Ann was an avid bridge player; until the last decade of her life, she continued to play and regularly hosted tables for her friends. At family gatherings, she took pride in serving her signature seafood gumbo, a tradition passed on to her daughters and their children.

Perhaps most of all, Ann enjoyed her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ann shared over 50 years of marriage with the love of her life, Bill Wiltshire. Together, they embraced a life rich with travel, joyful gatherings with friends and cherished moments celebrating their grandchildren’s performances, sporting events, and graduations.

The family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary care and devotion that Gwen Anderson showed our mother for the past decade. As Ann’s fulltime caregiver, Gwen kept her safe and healthy, but most importantly, made her happy.

The family will always be eternally grateful for the gift of Gwen.

Preceding Ann in death are her spouse, William Anderson Wiltshire; parents, Linda and Bill Bilbo; and brother, Bo Bilbo.

Remaining to cherish Ann’s memory are children, Diane Wiltshire (Dr. Steven Jenkins) of Reston, Va., Dr. Lauren Wiltshire of Collierville, Tenn., and Jennifer Richmond (James) of Madison; grandchildren, Kennedy Kanagawa (David Gow) of New York City, Jessica Santos (Dean Elizardo) of Salem, Mass., Kane Kanagawa (Elizabeth Mahon) of Washington, D.C., Dr. Miller Richmond (Alexandra) and great-granddaughter Margaret of Washington, D.C., and Marion Richmond (Jack Treadway) of Madison; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Louis Bates, Andy Bilbo, Burney Bilbo, Gaston Bilbo, Sean Doyle, John Dale Dumas, Larry McDaniel, Jim Payne and Glenn Solomon. H o n o r a r y

Pallbearers are Bobby Darville and Renan Richmond.

Memorial contributions in Ann’s honor may be directed to Centenary United Methodist Church, the Junior Auxiliary of McComb, or a charity of your choice.