With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Reverend Mose Jefferson Wilson, 81, of Nesmith, SC, retired Pastor of Pine Grove A. M. E. Church, Greeleyville, SC, who passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Life's Reflections

Mose:  The Man, The Mission, The Ministry

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV)

The Reverend Mose Jefferson Wilson, son of the late Reverend Mose and Sallie Cooper Wilson, was born on August 16, 1943, in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. He was married to his loving and faithful wife, Mrs. Hester Nesmith Wilson, for 61 years.

He matriculated through the public schools of Williamsburg County and graduated from Battery Park High School in Nesmith, South Carolina. He was a graduate of Morris College School of Religion in Sumter, South Carolina, and Reverend Wilson later completed additional studies at Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, South Carolina.

Reverend Wilson was a faithful employee of Wellman Industries in Johnsonville, South Carolina, for thirty years, and American Bankers and World Insurance for five years. He also was a faithful and successful farmer for many years in Williamsburg County.

Reverend Wilson answered God's divine call to preach the gospel and pursued pastoral ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in the late 1970s. The late Reverend L.L. Farmer, Presiding Elder of the Kingstree District of the Palmetto Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District and the Quarterly Conference, granted him a license to preach in the A.M.E. Church. He served as an associate minister at Greater Saint Mark A.M.E. Church in Hemingway, South Carolina, under the pastorate of the late Reverend E.L. McCrary, and at the Live Oak and Rock Hill AME Circuit in Vance, South Carolina, under the pastorate of Reverend Julius Steed. The late Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Jr. ordained him as an Itinerant Deacon at the Palmetto Annual Conference, which Morris Brown A.M.E. Church of Charleston, South Carolina, hosted in 1980. Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Jr. also ordained Reverend Wilson as an Itinerant Elder at the Central South Carolina Annual Conference, which Williams Chapel A.M.E. Church of Orangeburg, South Carolina, hosted in 1983.

Reverend Wilson, a progressive pastor, innovative leader, and anointed preacher, led many people to Jesus Christ, initiated and completed successful building projects, served as an advocate for youth and young adults, nurtured the elderly, was a community leader and liaison, and stood for justice and righteousness for humanity. As a pastor, Reverend Wilson provided dedicated service to the following congregations: Good Hope A.M.E. Church in Bowman, South Carolina; Cypress Fork and Saint Mark AME Circuit in Alcolu, South Carolina; Society Hill A.M.E. Church in Manning, South Carolina; Zion and Bethel AME Circuit in Branchville, South Carolina; Mount Olive A.M.E. Church in Holly Hill, South Carolina; Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Elloree, South Carolina; and Pine Grove A.M.E. Church in Manning, South Carolina.  He retired from active pastoral ministry at the 86th Session of the Central Annual Conference of the AME Church in October 2009 and continued serving the Lord as an associate minister at his beloved home church, Greater Saint Mark AME Church.  He enjoyed preaching and teaching God's word to all people.

Additionally, he served the African Methodist Episcopal Church as an Alternate Delegate to the General Conference and member of the Central Conference Board of Trustees, Central Conference Board of Examiners, and other committees in the Central Annual Conference and Seventh Episcopal District.

Reverend Wilson, a respected leader and community advocate in Williamsburg County, served his community, the county, and surrounding areas by giving of himself and his many talents in countless ways. He was a Master Mason of over 50 years and a member of the Saint Mark Lodge #374 (Prince Hall Freemasonry), where he served as secretary for eighteen years. He has also served on the Williamsburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Advisory Board, the Williamsburg County Human Relations Council, and he was the former president of the Battery Park Precinct.  Most importantly, he loved, supported, and served his family well.

On Sunday morning, July 28, 2024, Reverend Mose Jefferson Wilson peacefully passed away into eternal life at the National Healthcare Lexington of West Columbia, South Carolina, following an extended illness at the age of 80 years old (three weeks from his 81st birthday).  Four of his sisters preceded him in death:  Hattis Cyrus, Beanie Cooper, Gloria Cooper, and Annie Wilson.

Rev. Wilson leaves to cherish his precious memories: his devoted wife of 61 years, Mrs. Hester Nesmith Wilson; their children, Jefferson Wilson of Orlando, Florida; Mosel Wilson of Hemingway, South Carolina; Stevie Wilson of the home, Melinda Wilson-Hughley of Conway, South Carolina; and the Reverend Fedrick A. (Tenessa) Wilson of Lexington, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Shinequa Wilson of Charlotte, North Carolina; Jeffrey Wilson of Fort Myers, Florida; and Taylor, Timothy, and Trenton Wilson of Lexington, South Carolina; one great-grandson, Carson Teal of Charlotte, North Carolina; two brothers, Thomas "Brother" (Martha) Wilson and Freddie "Burley" Wilson, both of Nesmith, South Carolina; four sisters, Willie Mae McCutchen; Mary Lee Thompson; Ella "Tee" Wilson and Linda Renee Wilson all of Nesmith, South Carolina; one brother in law, Norman (Evelyn) Nesmith of Washington, DC; four sisters in law, Shirley Nesmith of Landover, Maryland; Rosa Lee Pressley, Jannie Nesmith, and Flora Nesmith all of Bronx, New York; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends and church members.

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" (II Timothy 4:6-7)

The family is receiving friends and family at 1117 Harvest Road, Nesmith, SC.

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