Lois J. Wilson Obituary/Program 7-15-2023

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Obituary

We are gathered here to bear testament to the life of Lois J. Wilson. Lois was born May 4, 1943, in Marvell, AR., and died June 25, 2023, at the age of 80 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Ira Ewing, and by her siblings, Samuel L. Ewing, Rumonia Wells, and George C. Ewing. Lois is survived by her loving son Reginald Wilson; sisters Beverly J. Jones, Ceola Mayberry, and Wilma F. Brooks; brothers Fred Ewing (Virninue), Phillip L. Ewing, Sr. (Sandra); sister-in-law, Gail Ewing; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. We here are left to cherish Lois' memory.

In Phillips County, Lois grew up in the bosom of her family and was educated, molded, and spiritually guided in a tight-knit community. At an early age, Lois accepted Christ and was a member of Midway Baptist Church, Marvell, AR. Her family lived across the field from her father's brother's family. Lois grew up picking cotton, as was typical for this area of the Arkansas Delta, her neighbors, and her family. As reinforced by her parents, education was the key to a better life and a wider world. She left this community to attend Mary Holmes Junior College in Mississippi, where Lois met David Wilson, Jr, whom she later married in 1966. Their union was blessed with a son, Reggie.

Before this union, Lois completed her higher education at College of the Ozarks (Arkansas) with a bachelor's degree in English and social sciences. In 1966, Lois moved to Milwaukee to join and live with her sister Beverly and later shared an apartment with her sister Ceola, cousin Mary, and lifelong best friend and cousin Irene. Lois joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church on January 12, 1967, and was an active member of the General Mission, Gladys East Missionary Circle, and Sunday School.

While living in Milwaukee, Lois worked as an English teacher for several years for the City of Milwaukee Board of Education. In 1969, Lois began her career as a social worker for Milwaukee County and was a dedicated member of District Council 48 AFSCME-CIO, where she remained until she retired in 1994.

She served the community in ways seen and unseen. Lois went from working in the cotton fields to becoming a civil servant, philanthropist, arts patron, and advocate for civil and human rights, including voting, fair labor, and children's and women's rights. Lois was a lifetime member of the NAACP, served on the Milwaukee Branch Scholarship Committee, and was a vocal member of the Sherman Park Community Association.

Lois loved reading the Holy Bible, novels, biographies, and non-fiction. Throughout her life, she found no harm in dancing and loved moving to the sounds of James Brown, Al Green, and The Staple Singers, to name a few. Lois passed on her love for dance and the arts to her only child and supported him wholeheartedly in his endeavors to pursue his passion and career. She enjoyed preparing tasty dishes, especially baking; she was an excellent cook. Many in the family recall Lois' three-layered jello molds, sherbet punch, cakes (specifically her pound cake from Aunt Ruby's recipe), pork and beef roasts, an outstanding meatloaf served with stewed potatoes and green beans, and the list goes on and on.

Lois believed in prayer, and she knew that prayer worked. She believed sincerely in God's abundance and his ability to look after and care for us. For many, Lois was a chalice of love and support, providing solid, prayerful guidance and direction at times of need. Her gentle, generous smile belied a solid, stoic spirit rooted and grounded in the Lord. Lois was effervescent, bubbly, and always excited to see, meet, and share with and learn from others.

Lois was endlessly generous. She was giving in whatever way she could. A short but not exhaustive list of those she gave to were Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Fist and Heel Performance Group, the Arthritis Foundation, the Children's Hospital of WI MACC Fund, Sherman Park Community Association, and any individual with a great difference to small children.

Following Christ's example, with quiet forbearance, Lois lived a relatively plain and simple life. In closing, as Lois would often say, BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS!

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand, when I heard Him call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered

Joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times,

a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now. He set me FREE!

Order of Service

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Visitation: 11:00 am A Celebration of Life: 12:00 pm

Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church

1345 West Burleigh Street Milwaukee, WI 53206

Musical Prelude ........................ Lift Every Voice (National Black Anthem)

Processional ................................................................Reverend Fred Ewing

Scripture ................................................................ Reverend Rahdae Redd

23 Psalm and Luke145 (KJV)

Prayer .................................................................... Reverend Rahdae Redd

Selection ..................................................... Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

Acknowledgments and Resolutions ...................... Sister Francine Saffold

Remarks (limit 2 minutes please) ........................................ Family and Friends

Obituary .................................................................................. Silent Reading

Selection ........................................................................ Sister Pearl McNeail

He Decided to Die (He Would Not Come Down from the Cross)

Eulogy ..........................................................................Reverend Fred Ewing

Recessional .....................................................................................................

Postlude ...........................................................................................................

PALLBEARERS

Clyde Anderson | Earl V. Arms | Jason V. Brock, Sr.

Jaden Champion | De’Shawn Ewing|Virgil Ewing II

Jason V. Brock Jr. and Caidence Carnes (Junior Pallbearers)

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Fred Ewing | Phillip L. Ewing, Sr | Paul Hamilton

Lawrence Harding | Charles Johnson, Sr. | Oscar Johnson, Sr.

Wardell Jones, Jr. | Michel Kouakou | Clement Mensah

Ibrahima Ndao | Michael Robinson | Tamsir Sylla

FLOWER BEARERS

Rhetta Aleong | Lailah Brock | Cheyenne Fleming

Mary Govan | Ann-Marie N. Joseph

Tremerell Mykal Robinson | Wanda Young

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The family of the late Lois J. Wilson acknowledges, with sincere appreciation, the many comforting messages, floral tributes and other expressions of kindness evidenced at this time in thought and deed.

We also express our overwhelming gratitude to family and friends who took time to provide varied caregiver support over the past three years. A special acknowledgement to Froedtert Community Memorial Hospital

Menomonee Falls – Modified Care and ACE units and Horizon Home Care and Hospice for the love, care, and kindness they displayed to Lois and the family.

Please join the family and friends of Lois J. Wilson in the Fellowship Hall (lower level) for a repast immediately following service.

INTERMENT

Monday, July 17, 2023, 11:00 am Wisconsin Memorial Park Inc. 13235 W Capitol Drive Brookfield, WI 53005

In lieu of flowers and cards, the family requests donations be made to one or all of the following:

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin MMAC Fund

Arthritis Foundation

Melanin Minded LLC