Wanda Lee Wilson

Wanda Lee Wilson was born on April 15, 1927 in Fairfield, Alabama. She was the youngest of three children born to Washington and Idonia Jones Simpson. Wanda accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour under the late Pastor, Dr. E. W. Williams at First Baptist Church in Fairfield, Alabama. Her two brothers Palmer and Echol always took very good care of their little sister. However, she learned how to become independent at an early age. Every summer beginning at age five, she was sent alone on a train out to the country to visit relatives in Camp Hill, Marvin, or Opelika, Alabama. It was there she built strong relationships with many of her aunts, uncles and cousins.

She attended Jefferson County Public Schools and graduated from Parker High School. Wanda also attended Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama. On May 10, 1947, Wanda married Albert C. Wright and a year later their first son, Albert Jr. was born. In 1948, they relocated to Los Angeles California. After the move to Los Angeles the family increased and was blessed with four more sons: Gail, Don, Richard and James. Wanda enjoyed being a housewife and a mother to her five sons. She also enjoyed singing, cooking and flower gardening. Wanda taught her sons the Lord’s Prayer and required them to get on their knees and pray before they went to sleep every night. She loved her sons unconditionally and taught them to do the same. She even taught them how to dance, which was one of her favorite things to do. Anyone that came in contact with her loved being around her, she loved laughing and made everyone feel welcomed. Her favorite scripture was Mark 24:11 and favorite song “This Little Light of Mine”. When asked what kind of food she likes to eat her answer was “FOOD”. Wanda truly savored her meals and enjoyed good food.

After her marriage was dissolved she returned back to Fairfield, Alabama. She moved to Chicago where she was employed with Zenith Electronics and a few years later she married James (Jim) Wilson in 1969. She joined Liberty Baptist of Chicago under the pastorship of the late Rev. A.P. Jackson. She was a faithful member of the Choir at Liberty for many years. In 2004, her husband, Jim was called to eternal rest. Wanda moved to Georgia to be near her sons and their families. She joined Greenforest Community Baptist Church, Decatur, GA, where she actively attended Fulfillment Hour (Sunday School) and Worship Services until illness. Wanda lived independently at Clairmont Oaks Retirement Community where she participated in dance classes, Tai Chi, Red Hatters and other social activities. She loved living in the south, away from cold weather of Chicago. Wanda traveled to many family reunions in Alabama and summer vacations at the beach in Charleston, SC.

Blessed with eighty-nine years of life, our beloved Mother was called from labor to eternal rest on April 7, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents Washington and Idonia Simpson, ex-husband Albert C. Wright, Sr., husband James Wilson, and two brothers Echol and Palmer Simpson.

Celebrating her life and cherishing her memories are: five sons; Albert Jr. (Arthurine), Gail , Don (Sandra), Richard, and James (Shirley); 12 grandchildren: Elaine Forris (Lyndarick), Lisa Robinson (Jason), Raymond Wright, Cynthia Westbrooks (James), Michael Wright( Kumi), Don Wright, Jr. (Anika), Albert C. Wright, III, Kirstyn Wright, Avery Wright, Zachary Wright, Aaron Wright, Roshandra LeBlanc (John); eleven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Barbara Simpson-Dickinson; niece, Pamela Collins; and nephews: Guathier Simpson, Charriere Simpson, and Eduardo Simpson, special cousin Minnie Jordon, Audrey Towles; close friends: Melzina and Valarie Magee, and Mildred Scott. A multitude of Simpson and Jones family members; Special neighbors from Compton who called her “mom” Ophelia Wright, Julian Jenkins, Curtis Jenkins, Maurice Stewart, Gary Windom, and Sandy Windom; goddaughter, Brenda Bunch; Liberty Baptist Church members; Charleston, SC family and friends; Buford Foote, many friends at Clairmont Oaks Community (special friends Peggy Maddox, LaVerta Allen, Merlene and Minnie); the Greenforest Community Baptist church family and a host of relatives and friends.