Lawrence physician dies of COVID complications at age 54

Michael Wetzel, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
·2 min read

Sep. 14—Longtime Lawrence County physician Dr. Faye S. Wilson has died from an extended illness related to COVID, according to her older brother.

"Faye embodied the perfect combination of intelligence and compassion," said Don Wilson of Florida. "I may have been her big brother, but she was my role model. I will miss her dearly."

Lawrence County Medical Center CEO Dean Griffin said Wilson, 54, of Trinity, died early Tuesday morning at Decatur Morgan Hospital.

"She was a wonderful physician and an even better person," Griffin said. "The hospital staff and her patients loved her and working with her. We're going to miss her and we want to thank Decatur Morgan for giving her excellent care while she was there."

On Oct. 1, 2017, Wilson, a general practitioner, was the first African American and first female to be named chief of staff at Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton.

In August 1998, Wilson opened a clinic in Courtland and a few years later expanded by opening a family medical clinic in Moulton.

"We had people from all across the county and area to come to Courtland as her patients," said Courtland Mayor Linda Peebles. "She was very highly thought of, and my family and friends said they felt very comfortable with her as their doctor. She had a wonderful demeanor talking with her patients."

Former North Courtland Mayor Ronald Jones was one of her patients.

"I went to her for over 15 years," he said. "You could talk to her about anything. She would fuss at me about my health issues and said she was proud of me when my numbers improved. She wanted the best care for me and all of her patients. I'll miss her gentle laugh."

Moulton City Councilwoman Joyce Jeffreys, a registered nurse and part-time nursing instructor, said Wilson "was very kindhearted."

"She had a large practice here in Moulton and she took Medicaid and Medicare patients that some doctors don't," Jeffreys said.

Wilson was born in Florence and grew up in Russellville.

After attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she majored in biology, Wilson attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville. In 1997-98, she was chief resident of family medicine at UAB Hospital before going into practice in Courtland and then Moulton.

In an interview with The Daily in 2017, Wilson said, "I've been in Lawrence County 20 years now, and I really like the rural hospital environment. You get to know the patients. I've had three generations of family members visiting me. I feel like I'm able to take a few minutes to talk with the patients about how things are going with their families, at home. Many times how things are at home impact what is going on with the patient's health."

Reynolds Funeral Home of Decatur is handling arrangements.

— mike.wetzel@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442. Twitter @DD_Wetzel.