Julia Mae Wilson (Granny) was born November 7,   1920 in Aiken, South Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late Landy Bates and Missouri (Spell) Bates. 

She accepted Christ at an early age and baptized at Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

In 1935 she married James Ford Wilson and to this union eight children were born.   While their youngest child, Geraldine was only three years old, Julia, her husband and their three older children, James, Lillian and Bennie moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Later four more would be born, Alice, Tina, Paul and Theresa.

Upon her arrival to Fort Wayne she began working at the Keenan Hotel as an elevator operator for approximately seven years.  She then began working at Parnell Nursing Home where she was a Nurse’s Aide, caring for the residents for six years.  She later worked and retired from Holiday Inn after 14 years of service.

Mother Julia first united with Shiloh Baptist Church where the late Rev. Carswell was the pastor while living in Westfield.  She was formerly a member of Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Mozell Davis was the pastor and finally united with Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev.  Calvin Perry. She continued her faithful membership under the current leadership of Pastor Gonzalee Martin where she served as a Missionary.

Early Friday morning, on August 5, 2016 Momma  Julia quietly made her departure from this earthly world after her granddaughter  Kim sang and prayed her to sleep at Heritage Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. 

Mother Julia enjoyed singing hymns, cooking and feeding people “making sure they got a mouth full”.  Momma Julia also enjoyed being around her love ones and friends.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Ford Wilson; two daughters,  Ernestine Wilson and Theresa Wilson;  daughter-in-law, Roberta Wilson; grandson,  Arenell  “Buddy”  Wilson;  great grandson, Timothy A. Russell Jr.; sisters, Roberta Jackson, Bessie Jackson, Valerie Mc Daniels; brothers, Elijah Bates, Monroe Bates and Joe Bates.

Left to cherish many fond memories are her children, James Wilson, Lillian (Robert) Stewart, Bennie (Annie) Wilson,  Geraldine (Marvin) Moore, Alice (Frank) Gray and Paul (Susan) Wilson;  a niece, Ora Mae Warfield; nephew, Elijah Bates Jr.; 27 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, 31 great-great-grandchildren along with a host of great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mother Wilson will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Park

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