Obituary of Deacon Johnnie B. Wilson

Deacon Johnnie B. Wilson, Sr. was born September 3, 1938 in Jackson, Mississippi to the late Nelson Wilson Sr. and Lubertha Rouser. He was educated in the Mississippi public school system and consistently achieved high levels of academic success. He graduated salutatorian from high school and attended Tugaloo College. Being faithful and dedicated to his education, he earned his Associates degree in business administration from Delaware Technical Community College and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University in 1975. Realizing the importance of education, he loved sharing his knowledge and experiences to others. He consistently encouraged others to excel in their studies. He moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1957 and moved to Delaware later that same year. He started his early professional career working for Gross Lighting. Johnnie started as a stock person and was dedicated to the business. During his time, he was promoted and elected to the office of Vice-President. Early in the 1960s, Johnnie joined Lodge #21 of the Masonic organization in Wilmington, Delaware. He was an active member for over twenty years and was elevated to the degree of Master Mason. During this time, his brother Woodrow told him that he should come and meet a girl who worked at a grocery store (We all know who this girl was.) Johnnie enlisted in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963 as a medical officer. He earned his Honorable Discharge in 1967. For much of his enlisted time, he served in Germany and during his deployment, he wrote letters to his family and especially his girlfriend… Irene McCants In December 1963, after coming home from Germany, Johnnie married his amazing sweetheart Irene McCants. God truly blessed their marriage and to their union, four boys were born. Johnnie B. Jr., Jay Edward, Jansen Christopher, and Jermaine Lamar. Through his words and actions, Johnnie demonstrated and led his family towards the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He LOVED his family and led by example. He had family Bible study every Saturday night, took the family to Sunday school, Sunday morning worship, and Sunday evening services. The family vacation was always to the National Baptist Deacons convention. He encouraged his sons to be active in the ministry and to love and serve God. He loved spending time with his Sisters and Brothers as well. He loved taking the family to Mississippi and Detroit to see his Sisters. In Delaware, he enjoyed our yearly family reunion Bar-B-Q’s. Johnnie was a special uncle and cousin to so many. When his brothers had transitioned and gone home to be with God, he honored his brothers by walking many of their daughters and granddaughters down the aisle when they were married. He loved his family and would serve in any loving capacity they needed. He loved picking up his nieces and nephews in his car or van and taking them to Vacation Bible School and sharing the love of Jesus with them. Many of his nieces and nephews have stated that he just didn’t make them feel special but he made them feel “favorite.” In 1963, Johnnie joined the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1966 and elected chairman of the deacon’s ministry in 1971. He served as the ministry chair for 45 years. Deacon Wilson was a faithful and dedicated member of the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist church. He believed in leading by example. He was always at Sunday school, Bible Study, and Prayer Meeting. He truly believed and exemplified II Timothy 2:15, “Study, to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Even if no one else was at the study, Deacon Wilson was always there. As the chairman of the Deacon’s ministry, he trained deacons on fulfilling their calling to “walk worthy in the vocation that they had been called.” He encouraged them to memorize and understand the church covenant as well as remember that no matter what we do, “we are dealing with souls.” He served in many capacities in the church: • Chairman of the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Deacon’s Ministry for over 40 years • Adult Sunday School Teacher • Bible study teacher • Prayer meeting facilitator • Sunday School • Senior Choir and Male Chorus • Secretary of the National Baptist Deacons Convention • President of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Deacon’s Auxiliary • Director of Christian Education of the MZMBA Deacon Wilson loved working within Mt. Sinai and supporting members. He enjoyed keeping track of members and their work in the ministries that they were called to. He kept a list of members who were called into Pastoring, Ministering, Evangelism, and Deaconship. He was so proud of Mt. Sinai working to fulfill its mission for Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20. In 1979, Deacon Wilson started the family business Wilson Lighting and Shade Center. Through the business, he supported his family and offered many of his nieces and nephews the opportunity to learn business practices as well as work their way through school. Through the business, Johnnie was able be a supportive pillar of the community. Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents Nelson and Lubertha Wilson, Siblings: Gladys Brocks (Cleveland Sr.), Evelene Bulley (Glenmore), Lillie Bulley (Loften), Nelson Jr. (Dorothy ), Daisy Bennett (Johnnie Sr.), Woodrow (Mary), Willie, Cleophus, Martha Moore (Earl), and Edward. Sister in-laws: Kathy. Brother in-laws: Samuel, Pete, and Alexander. Deacon Johnnie Wilson leaves to cherish his memory the beautiful, dedicated, blessing, and amazing wife, Irene Wilson. Children: Johnnie (Star), Jay (Marybeth), Jansen (Kimberly), Jermaine (Tracy). Grandchildren: Micayla Denise, Kimaya Lirene, Christopher Rhyan, Nathan Rhylee, Kiannamarie Nyah, Noah Jaymes, Amaris Angela, and Meghan Grace. Sibling: Daisy Bennett, Sister in-laws: Lula Wilson, Alicia Wilson, Alvilta Morin (Don), and Sandra McCants. Brother in-laws: Rommie McCants and James McCants, and a very large host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special Nephews: Auther Burns, Freddie King, and Cleveland Brocks. Friends: Charles Livingston, Joseph Howard, and Kenneth Brown, Sr.