Celebrating the Life of Virgree

"For I am 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 kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." –II Timothy 4:6-8

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at McLeod Hospice, Florence, South Carolina, Mother Virgree Wilson heard the voice of our Heavenly Father saying, "Come unto me and rest my child."

Virgree Wilson was born on October 25, 1932, in Lane, South Carolina, to Mary Kelty Parson and Fessor Parson. Raised alongside her siblings, Van Parson and Herbert Mitchell, Virgree grew up during a time marked by hard work, faith, and family unity. These values became the foundation of the life she built and the legacy she left behind.

From her early years as a sharecropper, Virgree learned perseverance, discipline, and the beauty of working with her hands. Later, she became a Housekeeping Supervisor at the Lands Inn Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she worked faithfully until retirement. No matter the circumstances, she always carried herself with dignity, courage, and grace.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Horace Wilson.

A natural nurturer, Virgree dedicated her life to caring for others. She lovingly raised her children — Mary, Debra, Jackie, Ezekiel, Curtis, Chertha, Lillie, Gloria, and Cynthia — five of whom preceded her in death, including twins at childbirth. She also helped raise younger cousins, supported extended family, and cared for her mother, who was paralyzed on one side. Even while raising children on her own during the 1950s and 60s, she managed to work, maintain her home, tend to her garden, fish, farm, and still remain deeply committed to her faith.

Faith was the anchor of Virgree's life. At an early age she accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior and was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church.  She later joined Bible Way Temple in Lane, where she and her children helped Bishop Thomas Plowden Jr. build the church from the ground up. She believed in the vision, worked tirelessly to support it, and made sure her children were always present and active in the ministry.

As her children grew and began families of their own, Virgree embraced her role as grandmother with immense joy. She poured her love and values into every generation that followed. She taught her grandchildren how to fish, how to cook, how to garden, how to work hard, and above all — how to love God. Her message remained simple and unwavering: "Love God and pay your tithes."

Later, when Elder Jerry Edwards stepped into his calling to Pastor Mother Wilson supported him wholeheartedly. She and her family joined New Hope Christian Church in Greeleyville, where she served faithfully as the Head Mother of the Mother Board of the Church until her transition. She loved her Pastor and the ministry. Despite any health obstacle, she helped build the church and was proud to see the ministry grow. The new social hall currently being built will be dedicated in her honor — a testament to her love, dedication, and unwavering support.

Today, Virgree Wilson's legacy spans five powerful generations. From a humble sharecropper came nurses, electricians, entrepreneurs, authors, educators, service members in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, cybersecurity professionals, artists, construction foremen, truckers, college graduates, and so much more. The seeds she planted have blossomed into a family full of strength, purpose, and excellence.

Who could have imagined that a young woman raising children on her own in rural South Carolina would one day leave behind a legacy like this? God truly gave her family "the best" when He created Virgree. Her love, her teachings, her voice, and her life lessons will echo through generations to come.

Her legacy is not only remembered — it is lived every single day.

In addition to her parents, husband, and five children, she was preceded in death by two brothers and a grandson.

She leaves to treasure her precious memories forever: Mary Newell of Lane, SC, Debra (Theodore) Harrison of Salters, SC, Curtis (Dora) Wilson of Lane, SC, Cheretha Wilson of Lane, SC, Lillie (Juda) Spann of Lane, SC and Gloria Wilson of Lane, SC; three grandsons she reared as her own, Derrick Harrison of Miami, FL, Tykeem Canty and Travis Brown, Jr, both of Sumter, SC; one sister-in-law, Caretha Wilson of Greeleyville, SC, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, eleven great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

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