Wilhelmena Olivia Wilson

Jackson Sylvester Hill and Rosa Wansley Hill were experienced parents when their fourth daughter blessed the family on March 4, 1927, in Florence (Rankin County), Mississippi. Big brother Wansley and sisters Elnora, Ruth, and Marcella were ready to help their parents with the lively, pretty baby. The young family moved to Pittsburgh Street in Jackson in Wilhelmena’s early years. Wilhelmena, her sisters, brother, and parents joined other family members at Pratt Memorial Methodist Church. She had many fond memories of growing up at Pratt and attending Spring Hill Church revivals in the summers.

Wilhelmena attended Jim Hill Elementary School and then Lanier High School. She graduated from Lanier in 1946. Jackson College (now Jackson State University) was Wilhelmena’s next stop. Her life began to blossom in new ways. She had her first big trip away from the family when her mother allowed her to go north with her best friend, Laura. Seabrook Farms, a major frozen food producer in New Jersey, actively recruited and employed “migrant” workers. This included Japanese Americans being released from internment camps, people from Barbados, Jamaica, and African Americans from the South. Wilhelmena and Laura had no idea that they were part of American history. They were off on an adventure! Wilhelmena laughed as she recently told the story. She and Laura got lost after taking the train to New Jersey. They accepted a ride from a stranger who knew where they were going. They arrived at Seabrook Farms and worked for a short time. Wilhelmena said they were given tickets to return home because the seasonal work had come to an end. It was an adventure that she would remember throughout her life.

Wilhelmena began Jackson College in the fall of 1946, planning a degree in Home Economics. Her studies reflected the pleasure she took in being a wife and mother in subsequent years, and having a home where friends and family always felt welcome.

A girlfriend (Velma Wilson) convinced Wilhelmena to meet her brother, who was serving in the Army during World War II. The young man, Thomas Wilson, completed his military service in the US Army and returned to Mississippi to attend Jackson College. He agreed to a blind date that took place on the football field shortly after a game had finished. The date was “thumbs up” for the young couple, so they continued to build a relationship after that blind date.

After two years of courtship, Tom asked Wilhelmena for her hand. They decided to get married on a day when they did not have classes. The story goes that on May 6, 1948, they went with both of their best friends to get married by a Justice of the Peace in Brandon, MS, during the lunch hour. They discovered that the justice of the peace was at home eating lunch. They were given his home address and ended up getting married in his living room. They returned to Jackson as Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wilson, had dinner, and Wilhelmena returned to her family’s home. On their wedding night, Thomas went back to his dormitory. A week or so later, they began to announce they were married, and a few months after that, they were able to establish a home together. They were a dynamic couple on campus. One thing they both enjoyed was dancing. They performed together many times as partners with the Jackson State Dance Troupe. Mena spoke fondly of her dance teacher, Mrs. Tucker, long after leaving Jackson College.

Their first child, Thomas III (Tommy), was born January 11, 1950. Her sisters had married and started families. They supported each other and helped with all the babies. Eventually, Ruth, the big sister, moved to Detroit, Michigan. Soon after, Wilhelmena and Tom joined what would be known as the Great Migration and moved to Chicago. Tommy remained in Jackson for five years while they established a home for the family in Chicago. Thomas secured employment at the Ford Motor Company, followed by Morehouse Barlow, a religious book publishing company. He later found a better position with Prudential Insurance, where he worked for the rest of his career. Wilhelmena began working at Spiegel, a major retailer with a large mail-order catalog business. Their second child, Valerie, completed the family October 25, 1954. Wilhelmena loved her job and was continuously promoted to supervisory and management positions over her thirty years with the company.

She also ensured the family thrived in Chicago. Valerie fondly remembers that she and Tommy took the bus and the famous “L” to downtown Chicago on Saturdays with their mom. Wilhelmena, Tommy, and Valerie would go the full length of Michigan Avenue, admiring the fashionable window displays, especially during the Christmas holidays. The Wilson family sat at the dinner table and shared a meal and conversation every night. She taught and reinforced clear values to her children.

The Wilson Family committed to the Episcopal faith in their early years in Chicago. They were both confirmed March 17, 1957, at St. George’s Episcopal Church in the diocese of Chicago. Tommy and Valerie were baptized and had their first communion at St. George’s. (St. George and St. Matthias merged in subsequent years after a fire destroyed St. George.) Thomas and Wilhelmena held many roles at St. George and St. Matthias and remained deeply involved throughout their years in Chicago. Many hours were spent in the Charles Pond soup kitchen, the Altar Guild, choir, and other organizations.

Lasting memories were made with their tight group of friends in Chicago. Holidays (especially New Year’s Eve ) brought them together with delicious food, good music, dancing, laughter, and unending conversation. The Wilson family loved taking annual vacations, traveling across the US and to other countries. Traveling to Mississippi was always on the agenda. They were determined to spend time with Tommy those first years, even though they had to make quick trips. Wilhelmena wanted to get back to Jackson to see her baby, knowing she had to get back to work in Chicago. In later years, the Mississippi trips enabled the children to spend some of the summer with their grandparents and cousins from both the Hill and Wilson families, and Mena got to spend time with her cherished oldest sister, Elnora.

After thirty years, Wilhelmena retired from Spiegel in 1995. Valerie successfully convinced her parents to join her in Shaker Heights in 2001. This helped the family cope with the loss of Tommy in 1999. Wilhelmena and Thomas developed another circle of family and friends in their new community. They became members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Tom was an usher, and Wilhelmena served on the Altar Guild, which was her passion. When Thomas died in April of 2021, Thomas and Wilhemena were a few weeks shy of their seventy-third wedding anniversary.

Wilhelmena departed this life on May 6, on what would have been her 77th wedding anniversary. We are sure they are enjoying being reunited.

Wilhelmena was predeceased in death by her son, Thomas E. Wilson III, in December 1999. Four siblings and their spouses preceded her in death: Wansley Hill (Rachel), Elnora Hill Wright (Amos), Ruth Hill Blackburn (Archie ), and Marcella Hill McLemore (Benjamin).

Daughter Valerie F. Wilson (Nathaniel Gray) grieves the loss of her wonderful mother.

Wilhelmena's life was a testament to love, resilience, and community. Her unwavering faith and dedication to family created a legacy that shaped countless lives. Known for her grace and infectious laughter, she welcomed everyone with open arms and a warm smile. She never knew a stranger. Her home was often a comfortable gathering place for neighbors, family, and friends. She had a gift for making those around her feel valued and cherished. In her final weeks of life, Wilhelmena offered Valerie and Nathaniel encouragement and comfort about how to continue once she passed.

Her many nieces and nephews from the Hill and Wilson families called her “Aunt Mena.” They have great stories about and deep affection for their Aunt Wilhelmena. They made regular phone calls to chat with her and share developments in their lives.

Wilhelmena considered the Gray family “her bonus family”: Nathaniel, Dwann, Naté, and Cinderella. She had a special bond with her “bonus great-grandson”, Jackson, who always looked for her and gave her a warm hug. Jackson gave her a cuddly blanket that kept her warm and provided comfort. Sherry Travis called Wilhelmena, Mom Wilson. She always sat cross-legged on the floor listening to Wilhelmena’s stories about her life. She kept her company, and support Valerie.

In the last years of Wilhelmena’s life, she was blessed by special caregivers Teresa Kyles, Angela Collins, Darnella White, and Mary Greene.

Wilhelmena lived a full and happy life. She was a great wife, a loving mother, an enjoyable friend, and a faithful servant of God.