Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson Sr.

On Saturday August, 10th, a good and faithful servant was called to rest with the Lord. Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr. worked tirelessly to live according to Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths.” Rev. Wilson was born to Jordan David Wilson, Sr., dec. and Maybelle Ferchaud Wilson, dec., on August 1, 1949 in New Orleans, LA. Upon Maybelle’s death, Jordan remarried Louise Johnson Wilson and together raised Rev. Wilson with his brother Wesley Wilson (Jeanetta) and sister Harriet Wilson Mason (Donald) in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. Together, Rev. Wilson and his family learned the value of hard work, education and family. Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr. believed in education as an important path to self improvement and enlightenment. After attending St. Augustine High School, Rev. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of New York. Rev. Wilson went on to study law at Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans, graduating with a Juris Doctorate. He continued his educational pursuits at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky with a Masters of Divinity. The value of hard work was a lesson Rev. Wilson taught his kids. While we know Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr. as a beloved Pastor and Attorney, his life was spent working tirelessly to earn a living for his family. Early in life Rev. Wilson worked at a local can manufacturing company, as a night stock clerk at a local grocery store and waited on tables all while going to school. Eventually, Rev. Wilson joined the Xerox Corporation where he rose to become one of the few African Americans in management at that time. After proudly working with the company for 23 years , Rev. Joseph Wilson received his calling to the ministry, and continued to spread the Word of God until his end. Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr. served the Louisiana and Texas Conferences of the United Methodist Church. He was first assigned to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in NewOrleans as an associate pastor, and was later asked to lead Trinity United Methodist Church in New Orleans, and St. James United Methodist Church in Hanville, LA. After Hurricane Katrina devastated his home and churches, Rev. Wilson relocated to Houston, TX, and was lovingly welcomed into the St John’s United Methodist Church family. After serving as an assistant pastor, Rev. Wilson was then assigned to lead Wesley United Methodist Church. Wilson later retired from Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church. Although retired, Rev. Wilson pushed to continue to serve God by ministering to Coles Chapel United Methodist Church in Sealy, TX and Downey Wesley United Methodist Church in San Felipe, TX. Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr. was affectionately given many nicknames and earned many titles. Know as “Teddy”, “Joe”, “Big Joe”, Attorney, Pastor, Reverend and “Preach”, no titles meant more to him than that of Husband, Father and Grandfather. Rev. Wilson is survived by Deborah McDonald Wilson, his loving wife of 49 years, and their 3 children Joseph Rodney Wilson, Jr., Justin David Wilson (Donja), and Jonathan Andrew Wilson (Erica). He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren Dawn, Jacob, Daphne and Caroline, and 2 granddogs Daisy and Stella. Preceding Rev. Wilson in death are his half brother Jordan David Wilson, Jr., and his step sister Sidney Mae Tillman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following organizations in Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr.’s name:1. 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans P.O. Box 871522 New Orleans, LA 70187 (504)208-9337 www.100blackmennola.org 2. The Center for Activism and Performance at Trinity Repertory Company 201 Washington Street Providence, RI 02903 (401)521 1100 www.trinityrep.com 3. Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation P.O. Box 11184 Atlanta, GA 30310 www.weareoralee.org

Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson Sr.

August 1, 1949 - August 10, 2019