With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Julia Burgess Wilson, 92, of Nesmith, SC, widow of Roscoe Wilson, who passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Life Reflections

Julia Burgess Wilson was born December 30, 1931 in Hemingway, South Carolina, in the Jerimiah community, to the late Robert Sr. and Sarah Johnson Burgess. The oldest of 14 children, Julia received her early education at the Chavis school, and later received her professional license in cosmetology. Julia was an unexpected comedian and great storyteller who enjoyed dancing (in her early years) and had great memories of seeing James Brown and Chuck Berry live.

Julia met the love of her life, the late Roscoe Wilson, at the church picnic.  This 49 year union produced three daughters, Dr. Ruby Wilson, Dr. Patricia (Attorney Michael Witherspoon) and Tameca Wilson-Ellis (Lonnie Ellis); Stepdaughter, Barbara Green. Three beloved grandchildren, Attorney Sara Alexis Louise Witherspoon, Aurie Minai Wilson, and Adrian Zander Wilson.

She imparted upon her family the importance of living a Christian life, independence, education and hard work. Julia (and Roscoe) worked side-by-side to create a vision and together they achieved many of those goals. To avoid child care, they worked opposite shifts.  To improve their financial status they ventured into entrepreneurship, owning homes and small businesses like Wilson's Fish and Chips, sharing the pleasures of down home cooking.  Saturdays were filled with hot combs and marcel irons, when she turned her pantry into a salon for friends and family.  She combined all of this with a regular "9-5", her career spanning employment at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Federal Paper Board, Arden House Nursing Home, and later retiring from Southern Connecticut State University.

Julia spent her adult Christian life as a member of Union Temple FWB Church in New Haven, CT, under the leadership of the late Bishop Herman A. Epps.  For 35 years she was a devout member, usher and one of the founding member of the Gospel Chorus. She loved the Gospel Chorus; its members became an extension of her family.  Her work at Union Temple also included countless fundraising dinners and cases of Katydid chocolates.

Julia was dedicated to her family and kingdom building.  She believed in sharing her talents, time and tithing to the church. Upon retirement, Julia (Roscoe) returned to Hemingway which allowed her to care for her parents.  They rejoined Greater St. Mark AME Church, where she was a member of the Missionary Society and Senior Choir. At Greater St. Mark, what started out as a pastoral/parishioner relationship with Elder Carl Anderson, Sr., grew into an endearing bond that resulted in her bonus son. The bond was strengthened by their weekly travel to Columbia during the legislative session. Julia often hitching a ride to see her family in Columbia.

She took joy in participating in the Greater St. Mark Annual Friends and Family Day, helping the Wilson Family take home many trophy's and the naming of the Roscoe Wilson Health Room. Additionally, Julia was an active member of the Senior Center of Lake City, NAACP, Eastern Star, and enjoyed her garden.

Julia didn't think she had traveling shoes, but she was always willing (or coerced) to accompany her daughters to places foreign and domestic. Some of her guilty pleasures were General Hospital, a mani/pedi and a good Sunday hat. A really BIG Sunday hat.

After the passing of her husband, Roscoe, and her change in health, it became necessary for her to move to the Columbia/Irmo area to live with her daughters.  She joined the Pine Grove community and participated on many trips and events with the senior groups. She was welcomed by the Columbia family and was  affectionally regarded as Momma Julia by many.

When Julia moved into her daughters home, it created a multigenerational experience. Her daughters knew they were providing a safe space, but what was gained was the nurturing from the matriarch and an opportunity for the grandchildren to be influenced by the "OG".  Although they teased her about her very long prayers, she reminded them that she called every one of her children, their spouses and the grandchildren by name every morning and every night.  Julia became a babysitter, Uber driver, cook and she had no problem with giving advice. She spoiled her son-in-law Michael with Blueberry pies, Sara with Chitterling, and Aurie and Adrian's favorite, Perlo Rice. As she grew more seasoned, roles changed and Lonnie prepared for her some of her old time favorites, chicken feet and mustard greens.

Julia was known by her children to be frugal and always prepared for a rainy day.  To their surprise she consistently contributed to national charities like: Feed the Children, Diabetes Foundation, Alzheimer's Foundation and St Jude Hospital, because her nephew was a benefactor of the hospital when he was young.

Julia loved her siblings and it was a regular occurrence for her to talk endlessly to all of them. The morning prayer-line became a source of joy because it combined several of her interests, getting a deeper understanding of Christ, praying, singing and being in the company of her siblings.

Although Roscoe died 20 years ago, Julia felt all the love kindness and respect from her in-laws, affectionately referred to as the Melvin Wilson Tribe.

"In that Great Gettin' Up Morning" of Sunday, April 7, 2024,  Julia joined her husband in eternal rest. She was predeceased by her parents, in-laws, Melvin and Louise Wilson, five brothers, (Robert Jr., William, James Carrol, and Leroy Burgess); two in-laws, Bobbie Mae Turner and Melvin Wilson, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory: eight siblings, Dorothy Gregg (Lake City, SC), David Alfonza Burgess (Hamden, CT), Ollie Farrar (New Haven, CT), Leona Polite (Hamden, CT), Mary Ellen Bischoff (New Haven, CT), Sarah Mae Hall (Lake City, SC), Annette Moore-Powell (North Haven, CT), Larry Burgess (New Haven, CT); thirteen in-laws, Anne Burgess (Hamden, CT), Margert Burgess (Greeleyville, SC), Ella Singleton (North Charleston, SC), David Wilson (New Haven, CT), Rachel Sanders (Hemingway, SC), Annie Wilson (Miami, FL) Mattie Lou Nesmith (Nesmith, SC), Amelia Grayson (Daniel, Nesmith, SC), Eva McClary (Vernon, Sr., Salters, SC), John Wilson (Florence, SC), Judy Stanley (Charleston, SC), Franklin Wilson (Vivian, Hemingway, SC) and Timothy Wilson (Hemingway, SC). And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

All arrangements and professional services have been entrusted to Henryhand Funeral Home of Kingstree, SC. 843-354-2292.