Mrs. Henrie Pearl Dyson Wilson was born to the late Elder T. C. Dyson and Easter Dyson on April 23, 1920, in Franklinton.

Mrs. Wilson’s family of origin consisted of 12 children. After the early death of her mother in 1928, she was reared by Sister Gracie O. Dyson with the support of her very large Dyson sibling clan. At an early age, she joined Sweet Home Church of Christ Holiness pastored by Reverend McKennis. She graduated from Washington Parish High School and attended Southern University for two years.

She was married to the Late Rev. Albert Robert Wilson and to this union five children were born. She joined Sweet Rest Baptist Church in 1950 and remained faithful until her death. Mrs. Wilson supported her husband’s ministry and assisted him with the development of a community church in Franklinton. She was very involved in the ministry of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Folsom.

During the years of her life, she was active in many areas. Her many positions were namely: a Sunday school teacher for 46 years, president of senior mission, matron of the junior mission, and a member of the church choir. She was president of the Third District Bogue Chitto Mission No. 1 for 29 years, a teacher in the District Sunday school and B.T.U. Congress, and vice president of the mission No. 1 in the Louisiana and Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention.

She served as the director over the talent programs in the Sunday school convention, assistant secretary of the Ideal Women’s Club, organizer of the Above 60 Women’s Ministry of Sweet Rest Baptist Church, an insurance agent for Purple Shield Life Insurance Company, worked for the Housing Project of Franklinton, and worked for the Louisiana Food Stamp Program. She was recognized repeatedly for high performance and excellence while working at Purple Shield. She served on the board of managers of Good Samaritan Nursing Home.

She leaves her only surviving child, Dr. Rodgers McKinley Wilson of Phoenix, Ariz., and her only surviving sister, Sister Velma Dyson Magee of New Orleans. Her late children included Rayfield Wilson, Roma Jean Wilson Thurman, Rev. Roland McCoy Wilson, and Ronald Scott Wilson. She leaves two comforting daughters-in-law that became daughters, Dorothy Young Wilson, and Rose LeDay Wilson. She leaves numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She was a woman of God, a missionary, a mother, a wife, a social and political activist. Her joyous life was well lived.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 24, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton. The family hour will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jerome Warren officiating.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mallery Callahan, pastor, officiating. The interment will be in Sweet Home Cemetery.

Crain and Sons Funeral Home of Franklinton is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook online at www.crainandsons.com.