Wilma Dean Amison

Everyone’s favorite person who embodied love in all its facets, Wilma Dean Gentry Amison, passed away in peace and comfort surrounded by family in Lakeland, Florida on May 2, 2026 at the age of 90.

Having lived nearly a century, Wilma devoted her life to loving God, family, and each individual she encountered in daily living. In the week since her passing, the sentiment repeated by many has been, “To know her is to love her.” That love was reciprocal - she made everyone feel special, seen, and loved.

Wilma was born into this world in Cookeville, Tennessee, on July 20, 1935 as the youngest of 8 siblings. At the beginning, she was inquisitive, devoted to her family and God, and more than-a-tadbit shy. As she grew into herself and met the love of her life, Wilma blossomed into the playful, chatty, and joyful person she remained until the end.

Along with her husband Don, Wilma dedicated her life to the founding and growth of The Ministry to the Military with the Church of God and then spent her final 9 years composing their memoirs. She was an accomplished writer and editor and worked at Pathway Press Publishing House for 22 years. Wilma was a mother, sister, sweet friend, and perhaps most notably known as Oma. She was an avid doll collector, a lover of Tootsie Roll pops, an adventurous world traveler, a world-famous biscuit maker, and was always up for a good chuckle.

In her last days, Wilma shared with many precious loved ones that she was ready to go be with her God and Don whenever the Lord called her. She is now at home with those she loved and missed.

Wilma is survived by one sister, Bobbie Woodard, her children Gale Bowen (Jeffery Bowen) and Steven Amison, her 6 grandchildren (Rebekah Sandoval, Jessica Smith, Dustin Amison, Johanna Prakash, Nicole Pratt, and Yuan Qiao Li), and 11 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by 6 of her siblings, daughter-in-law Wang Fang Amison, and her Beloved Husband of 56 years Don.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Church of God Ministry to the Military: www.mttm.org/donate.