Mrs. Celesta C. Wilson

Mrs. Celesta Christine Simpson-Wilson was born unto the union of Mr. Phillip Collins Simpson of Clay Ashland, and Mrs. Senora Elizabeth Outland-Simpson of Brewerville, in the year 1934 on the 5th day of April, city of Monrovia, Republic of Liberia. This union was blessed with two girls, Clarice Eugenia Simpson-Marshall, the elder, predeceased Celesta.

At the age of 12, Celesta embraced the Christian faith in the settlement of Caldwell at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. She was baptized at age 14 by the late Rev. Jerome Freeman of Clay Ashland, Pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church of Brewerville, where she was a member until she was married.

Her elementary tutoring was given by the late Mr. Isaac R. Woods, principal of the Brewerville Government School, and Middle School education was completed at home with her mother as teacher, where her intellectual foundation was formed. She obtained her Junior High School education at St. Theresa’s Convent, Monrovia, at the expense of her late uncle and aunt, Mr. Joseph Livingstone Outland and Mrs. Annie L. Thorpe-Outland, with whom she lived. Upon graduation from St. Theresa’s Convent, Celesta enrolled at the Lott Carey Baptist Mission School at the struggling expense of her devoted mother. At this time in her life, she lived with her late uncle and aunt, Mr. Randolph Benedict Outland and Mrs. Henrietta Outland, who instilled in her the finishing touches of domestication.

In 1952, Celesta was joined in holy wedlock to Mr. A. John Wilson, Sr. and became a member of his church, Geda African Methodist Episcopal Church. Unto this union, nine offspring were born.

Mother Wilson served her church, Geda AME, as Secretary and Superintendent of the Sunday School, choir member, President of the Women’s Missionary Society, Church Clerk, Financial Secretary, and member of the Steward Board.

In the Conference Branch 14th Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society (WMS), she held the position of Secretary for many years, a member and chairperson of various committees, a representative at various sister church events, and First Vice President of the Conference Branch WMS. She was elected delegate along with others to represent the 14th Episcopal District WMS at the 1975th Quadrennial in Washington, DC, USA.

Her first exposure to government services was her employment as a teacher at the Ellen Mills Scarborough Kindergarten School of Brewerville in June of 1964 where she served two years. In 1974, she became a staff member of the Supreme Court of Liberia until January 1984. During her employment at the Temple of Justice, she was awarded a scholarship to attend a Business School where she majored in Business English and Typing and was awarded a certificate upon completion. Her next employment was with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as Business Manager of a Christian Organization under the auspices of The Evangelist Women Workers. That position was unspeakably tiring and burdensome. Her body fell prey to the workload which resulted in a hospital stay that ultimately forced her to travel to the United States in search of medical care.

In the USA, she transferred her membership to the St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ, where her pastor was the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley. At St. James, she served on the Stewardess Board, and was a member of the Jubilee Choir and Usher Board. After relocating to South Carolina in 1995, Mother Wilson became a member of the Rock Hill AME Church in Jenkinsville, SC under the pastoral charge of her son, Rev. Dr. Harold Osborne Wilson. She held the position of Stewardess and was a member of the Senior Choir. Upon her son’s reassignment as pastor of First AME Church in Spartanburg, SC, she served as a member of the Stewardess Board.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her loving, caring, affectionate, devoted offspring: A. John, II, Ike Ruewonzo, Christine Elizabeth, Marcus Kamusu, Julius Pete, Audwin Van, Rev. Dr. Harold Osborne, Geraldine Antoinette (affectionately called Deene by mom), and Felix Ronald Wilson. Lorenzo Augustiano, her sixth child, predeceased her. Her daughters-in-law, Mrs. Zoe Kamara- Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Hayes-Wilson, Mrs. Annie Lake-Wilson, Mrs. Ann Stewart-Wilson, and Mrs. Demetria Byrd-Wilson. Her sons-in-law, Mr. Samuel B. Yorgbor and Mr. Ernest V. Wright. 33 loving grandchildren, and 55 precious great-grandchildren. Her loving God-sent children, E. Martinus Whitfield and Lois Whitfield and her godson, Benjamin John Lymas, her two surviving siblings, Mrs. Eleanor Simpson-Dennis and Miss Eugenia Simpson. Her other siblings who predeceased her, Mrs. Isabell Simpson-Cooper, Mrs. Comfort Simpson-Neal, Mrs. Vera Simpson-George, Mrs. Adner Simpson-Coleman, Mrs. Rebecca Simpson-Haines, Mr. Hansen Simpson, Mr. Richelieu S. Allison, Mr. Randolph B. Allison, and Mr. Lauris Sims. Many nieces and grand nieces, nephews and grand nephews, her loving and ever- praying senior cousin, Mother Rachel Brown. A great number of first, second and third cousins, and many, many good friends.

Children, cry. But do not break yourselves down. I know you all will miss mom, but rest assured

I am gone with a peaceful and thankful soul. You did your best by me. May the good Lord bless and keep you until we meet in the Great Beyond.

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