Luther H. Wilson Jr.

THOMSON, Ga. - Luther H. Wilson, Jr., the son of the late Luther and Polly Blount Wilson, was born October 26, 1935 in Columbia County, Georgia. He quietly departed this life on May 15, 2009 in his home after a 3-year battle with colon cancer. Luther received his formal education in the McDuffie County Schools. He earned a BA Degree from Paine College in Chemistry and a Masters Degree in School Administration from UGA. Luther started his career as an educator in Warrenton, GA. He served as Assistant Principal at R.L. Norris High School and Thomson High School . He later became Principal of Boddie Jr. High in Milledgeville, GA, Blakeney Jr. High and SR Dinkins Elementary in Burke County, GA. He retired from Burke County Board of Education in 1986. Luther then made a second career out of his hobby of working with his hands. He began Willsoon Fixit construction business which was his passion until his illness forced him to retire. He was a member of Water Branch Baptist Church in Grovetown where he served as Chairman of the Trustee Board for many years. He also served in the Army in Europe as a Lab Technician and was honorably discharged in 1964. On July 3, 1959, Luther was united in holy matrimony to the former Jessie Lee Smith. To this union one child was born, Josandra Lynne Wilson Jenkins (Joe) of Douglasville, GA. Luther was a trailblazer in the Thomson black community and the city as a whole. He served as a role model and helped many people. Some of his numerous accomplishments were: Candidate for Mayor of Thomson in 1974, Secretary of the Thomson Progressive Civic Club, Organizer of the RSC Club, Member of the Thomson 10-70s Advisory Board, Charter Member of the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce, Vice- Director of Region 5 of the Georgia Teachers and Education Association, Local President of Georgia Teachers and Education Association, Member and Vice-President of the McDuffie County School Board, Member of the City of Thomson Planning Commission, Member of the Selective Service Local Board. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 49 years, Jessie; daughter, Lynne (Joe), four sisters, Dochia Emery of Augusta, GA, Edna Wilson Stuckey of Baltimore, MD, Mattie Wilson Coleman of Rochester, NY, Hazel Wilson of Potomac Falls, MD; grandson Joshua Miles Jenkins of Douglasville, GA; godson Earlston Bean of East Lansing, MI, sisters-in-law, Gerald S. Holman of Charleston, SC, Genevieve S. Brown (John) of Anderson, SC, and Norma J. Smith, of Richmond, VA; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Octoria Wilson Primous, Zellah Wilson Barber, Mary Wilson and a brother, Forrest Emery. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 12 noon at the Water Branch Baptist Church, Grovetown with the Pastor, Rev. L. J. Tanksley as Eulogist. The Interment will be in the Water Branch Memorial Gardens. Mr. Wilson will lie in state at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. The funeral procession will leave the residence at 11:15 a.m. The Repast will be held in the Thomson Depot, Thomson. The family will greet friends on Monday, May 18, 2009, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or the Water Branch Baptist Church Building Fund. Thomson Funeral System, 505 Gordon Street, Thomson is in charge of all arrangements.