Emma Lee Vickers-Wilson: 1945-2025

VICKSBURG, Miss. — Emma Lee Vickers-Wilson, a lifelong resident of Vicksburg passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.  She was 80 years old.  Born to devoted fishermen parents, William E. Vickers and Syble Hunt, she grew up a proud “river rat.”

Emma Lee’s life was nothing short of legendary. She made headlines and history in the Fall of 1961 with her unforgettable 83-point game for Culkin High School against Port Gibson — a record that still stands to this day. It also earned her a spotlight in Sports Illustrated.  Her rising stardom took her to the brink of Olympic dreams, but upon realizing the limited future for women in sports at the time, she chose to serve her country as a United States Marine.  She was a 2024 inductee to the Vicksburg Warren Sports Hall of Fame and is a current nominee to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.  

Her accomplishments didn’t stop there. Emma Lee served as the Chairman of the Trinity Baptist Church Building Committee where she was a member, worked as Assistant Administrator at Kuhn Memorial State Hospital, owned Bypass Produce and was a dedicated team member at the Vicksburg National Military Park where she later retired. She also dedicated time to the United Way, always putting others first.  

She is survived by her three children: Ray Wilson (Heather) of Vicksburg; Tressa Myrick (Glenn) of Georgetown, KY, Tully Wilson (Amina) of St. Louis, MO, sister Lavada Stevens of Spring, Texas, Jimmy Vickers (Donna) of Pascagoula, MS and eight cherished grandchildren — Loni Saum, Peyton Wilson, Landon Saum, Ollie Myrick, Evelyn Wilson, Emma Lee Wilson, Kaylon Little and MacKenzie Phillips and many nieces and nephews.  Her cherished Yorkie, Lexi, will be laid to rest with her.  

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to Noon at Trinity Baptist Church with the service beginning at Noon. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be Landon Saum, Peyton Wilson, Chris Rentfro, Wade Rentfro, Glenn Myrick, Roger Arnold and Ollie Myrick. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Culkin Wildcat class of ’62.  

Those who knew Emma Lee knew she was a force of nature — bold, tenacious, and full of grit. Her long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s taught us not only strength but the value of living every moment to the fullest. She will be deeply missed but certainly never forgotten.  We want to thank the nurses and staff at the Vicksburg Convalescent Home for their years of compassionate care and the St. Joseph Hospice team for guiding us through her final days. 

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