Thomas Lee Wilson

Overview of Life. Thomas Lee Wilson was born August 6, 1935 in Brooklyn, W. VA., to James and Viola Wilson. He attended Fayette County School and graduated from DuBois High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He completed two years at Kennedy-King College in Chicago and received his cosmetology license from Morris Beauty Academy in Chicago. In April 1958, Thomas married Bonnie Booker. In 1959, he moved to Chicago, where he began his thirty-two year career with the Chicago Transit Authority. A year later, on June 24, 1960 their son Thomas K. Wilson was born. Thomas had a strong belief in the power and glory of God. In 1965, he became a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. He served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, trustee and chairman of the deacons. In 1992, at the time of his retirement from the CTA, he was employed as superintendent of instruction. He was a member of the Team Club and the 88th and Merrill Ave. Block Club. His quiet presence, comforting manner and gentle way will be greatly missed by the many who grieved as they come through the doors of Ebenezer. He has provided strength to many in their hours of most dire need and has been a port in tumultuous storms. Thomas departed this life in the morning of October 22, 2011. He was preceded in death by his mother Viola, and father James, and by three siblings Louise, Alfonso and Cornell. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of fifty-three years, Bonnie Wilson; son, Thomas K. Wilson; daughter-in-law, Lynn Wilson (South Holland, IL); sisters, Corintha Hawkins (Charleston, W. VA) and Trula Wilson (Chicago); brothers, James A. Wilson (Weisbaden, Germany), Larry Wilson (Atlanta, GA), Herman Wilson (Indianapolis, IN) and Wayman (Patricia) Wilson (Dunbar, W. VA); grandchildren, Domeneque N. Phillips (Chicago, IL), William T. Wilson and Jeffrey A. Wilson (South Holland, IL); great grandson, Travis A. Bonaparte (Chicago, IL); and the extended family members he regarded as his own and the many friends who touched his life. Order of Service: Processional; Old Testament; Call to Worship/Invocation; Hymn of Consolation, "This Little Light Of Mine"; New Testament; Prayer; Selection, Choir; Tributes; Resolutions; Acknowledgment, Pastoral Staff; Overview of Life, Rev. Marcel Kerr; Selection, Choir; Eulogy, Rev. Marcel Kerr; Benediction; Recessional. Interment: Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E. 67th St., Chicago, Illinois 60637. Repast: Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 4501 S. Vincennes Ave., Chicago, IL 60653. (Note: the scan set for this program included one stray final page that is the cover of a different program, for Jannie V. Jones-Davis, September 5, 1926 - December 31, 2011, also officiated by Rev. Marcel Kerr at Ebenezer M.B. Church; her details are not part of this obituary.)