Shirley Wilson

Her Life Story
 
Shirley Wolfe-Wilson was born on February 27,1941 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. She was one of nine children who were born to the late Oscar Wolfe Sr and  
the late Allean Funchess Wolfe.

Shirley received her education in the Orangeburg County school system in Orangeburg, SC.
At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at Andrew Chapel Baptist Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. After some time, she left South Carolina and moved to Jersey City, New Jersey to explore employment opportunities. When she arrived in New Jersey she lived with her brother, the late Oscar Wolfe Jr.  She was soon employed at Consolidated Laundry.

While working at Consolidated Laundry she met and went on to marry Winston C. Wilson. From that marriage 1 daughter was born, Debra Wilson. She also gained a bonus son, Willie James Wilson. Shirley loved both of her children dearly. In later years, she met her companion the Late Adam Brown, whom she loved dearly. They spent many wonderful years together and he spoiled her and took her on trips. Shirley was never the one who liked to cook so on holidays they would always travel with family to her sister’s house in Philadelphia, PA. She enjoyed spending time with her family and sharing financial wisdom with her daughter. If you knew Shirley, you know she knew the value of a dollar! She would always encourage people to save money for a rainy day. “Spread your money and put it in accounts that you cannot freely get to.” 

After moving to Jersey City, she continued her Christian faith.  She joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church and was a dedicated member.  While at Mt. Olive, she joined the Gospel
Chorus and served her church faithfully. She would read her bible and her daily bread book every day. She loved the Lord!

While living in Jersey City, after her time at Consolidated Laundry came to an end, she was employed at St Frances Hospital as an Operating Room Technician. She worked there for many years until her retirement.

One day, out of nowhere, she came out and asked, “Niecy do you think I am going to get a grandchild before I turn 50?” During her daughter’s union, she got the happy news she was waiting for!  The day she found out Debra was having a baby she was so excited!  She said “Yes! I am fifty and going to be grandmother!”  When Jazmin was born, she was filled with joy.  Jazmin then became her baby and her grandmother loved her dearly!

Shirley loved to go shopping and was always looking forward to the bi-annual family reunion.  She loved those times that she could spend with family. If she could help, she would.  Her nieces and nephews could rely on her to have an answer. She was straight to the point whether they wanted to hear it or not. She would tell them.

After living for many years in New Jersey, she then decided to move back to her hometown of Orangeburg SC. She lived there for several years before her health began to decline.  Her daughter moved her home with her and took excellent care of her mother. Shirley stayed with her and Debra truly lived out the scripture Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that you may live a long time in the land the Lord your God is giving to you.” 

On the evening of Monday, April 26,2021 at the age of eighty, Shirley departed this life at St Luke’s Hospital in East Stroudsburg, PA. God saw she was getting tired, and he dispatched his angels to escort her home. He welcomed her home with open and loving arms!  She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Allean Wolfe.  Her siblings Lewis Wolfe, Hercules Wolfe, Oscar Wolfe, Vernell Wolfe-Hicks, Marie Wolfe-Davis, and Edna Mae Wolfe Zimmerman.

Shirley Wolfe- Wilson leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories: her daughter, Debra Wilson- Mercer (Mike) of East Stroudsburg, PA. 2 sons Willie James Wilson of San Jose, CA, and Deshawn Gamble (Melissa) of Orangeburg, SC. 1 grand-daughter Jazmin Gooding of North Plainfield, NJ.  2 brothers Henry Wolfe of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Clarence Wolfe (Gladys) of Bowman, South Carolina.  5 sisters in law Virginia Wilson of East Stroudsburg, PA, Delores Grier of Albany.GA, Louise Wilson of Jersey City, NJ, Bessie Smith (Richard) of Fort Washington, Maryland, and Mildred Wilson of Lakeland, Fl.  5 brothers in law Howard Wilson (Stacy) of Decatur, GA, Felix Wilson (Donna)of Lexington. KY. Leonard Wilson of Jersey City, NJ, Kenny Wilson (Terry) of Albany, GA and Carl Jones of Newark, NJ.  Her adopted grandchildren Iyanna, Beasia, Kahlil, Jahlil, Nyia, Mercedes and Javion.  Adopted daughter Lenora O’Neal.  Special friends Gloria Watkins, Sarah McDaniel, Nellie O’Neal, and MaryAnn Brunson; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, loving adopted daughters, adopted grandchildren, and friends.

Lovingly submitted,
The Family 

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