Franke Beth Colley Wilson

Franke Colley Wilson, 81, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered peacefully into eternal rest Thursday, January 5, 2023. A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in South Carolina. The family will receive friends at a memorial gathering at a later date in Charleston, South Carolina. Arrangements and further information will follow by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel.

Franke was born December 31, 1941 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Franklin Jennings Colley of Walhalla, South Carolina and the late Margaret Stephens Colley of Charleston, South Carolina. Franke was a 1959 graduate
of Dreher High School in Columbia, South Carolina, was a graduate of Columbia College in 1963, and earned a Masters in Classical Piano from the University of Arizona in 1975. She began further studies in classical piano at HfM Saar Hochschule für Musik, 3rd Level Program in Saarbrucken, Germany in 1977-78. She practiced endlessly on her beloved Steinway Grand Piano and consumed the experience with passion.
During her life, Franke lived around the globe in places to include the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and West Germany and traveled extensively. Her love of travel never ceased, and she had a lifelong passion and enthusiasm for learning.

Franke was part of the fabric of Charleston having lived in the Fort Sumter House for over 30 years and as a licensed tour guide, she shared her passion for Charleston with the world. Franke took tourists, as well as locals, back in time with her love of history, architecture, the arts, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. She met the late Countess Alicia Paolozzi, who was instrumental in bringing the Spoleto Festival to Charleston, and soon became the Countesses ‘right hand’ running The Festival Club at One King and handling her properties and affairs in South Carolina. In her later years, Franke specialized in tours on Spiritline Cruises where she could share her expertise in and passion for Charleston’s rich history. Her love of life and passion for people and their stories, her laughter and joie de vivre, and her infectious spirit were contagious making her a loved and in demand personality aboard the boats.

She is survived by her two sons, David Wilson of Charleston, South Carolina and John Louis Edward Wilson and his wife Penny of Wellington, New Zealand. She was preceded in death by her husband John Louis Wilson. Franke was a member of City Church of Charleston led by Pastor John Pharis. Memorials may be made to City Church.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com