Evangelist Adele Green Wilson

On the glorious day of September 22, 1938, in South Carolina, Evangelist Missionary
Adele Green Wilson was born to her God-fearing parents, the late Reverend Dr.
Dodenhuff and Lucille Green. Adele was the third eldest out of six siblings. As her
parents took part in the Great Migration to the North, Harlem was their new home.
Adele never forgot life in the south and embraced Harlem, it was a metropolis, and
she loved every minute of her new home. In particular, she had fond memories of her
all-girl school Harriet Beecher Stowe in New York where she graduated from the
8 th grade in 1952. From there the family would move to 281 Harvard Street,
Hempstead Long Island. In 1956, Adele graduated from Hempstead High School. Her
chosen profession would be nursing, and Adele matriculated through Nassau
Community College where she earned an Associate degree. In the tradition of her
grandmother Queen Esther (Odom) Green, a premier midwife of the south, Adele
would accompany her to delivery babies in the wee hours of morning. This experience
left an indelible impression on her life and was the driving force for her future. She
would pass her New York State Boards and became a licensed Registered Nurse
working in local hospitals such as Lydia E. Hall Hospital in Freeport NY. Adele
always thanked God for her elevation in education, new opportunities, and fulfillment
of life. Certainly, stories about the old Jim Crow south left an impression on her. She
would tell younger generations of her grandmother going to the front of the bus to pay
her fare and then have to enter through the rear door for a seat. She recalled having to
move off the sidewalk for whites to pass. Adele quickly knew God's purpose and
intent on her life, and she would never go through a back door or step aside again.
Yet, she emerged into one of God's finest creations, dedicated to carry out His work.
Given her God-Gifted talent to sing with the anointing and conviction it was clearly
evident under the tutelage of her father's many ministries in Harlem, throughout Long
Island and including her local church where she was a chartered founding member of
Christ Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), where he would be the founder and
pastor for more than 60 years. To date, Christ Temple is where her membership
remained. Her father would often tell the story that he and Adele, as a child, were
anointed with the Holy Ghost at the same time. She was sitting on his knee and the
physical manifestation of God hit them both. As a preacher's kid, it wasn't always
easy. Not only did she have to share her dad with the world, but she would also be his
lifelong member and earned every title bestowed to her. The most notable title would
be that of Evangelist Missionary. Adele was a saved, Holy Ghost filled fire
baptized sanctified "Souled-Out" for God kind of missionary. She was a prayer
warrior and served in various capacities in the church and a was a beacon of light in
the community. Whenever you visited her, there was always food in the pot (made
with love) and a homemade delectable dessert on the table. She was generous, kind,
and understanding which made her popular amongst all generations. Adele was a
Psalmist before that was a buzzword. In a quest to advance her gifts she attended a
special program at Fives Towns College, where notable celebrities such as Wyclef
Jean were her classmates. She had many talents including playing the piano, and
reading and writing music. She recorded an album with The Voices of Shabach
Community Choir Inc. She was the featured soloist on the song titled, Its Time which
was highly acclaimed and featured on syndicated radio stations, WBLS, 98.7 Kiss FM
and Its Time was nominated for a Stella Award. In addition Adele was an original cast
member in Vy Higginsen's Momma I Want to Sing. Adele was well rounded in the
arts, like many of her Gullah ancestors, she was a gifted weaver, an avid seamstress,
quilter and knitter. She specialized in making wedding dresses and many of the family
members were honored to wear one of her creations. Adele welcomed new babies into
the family with one or her blankets that were made with love. We know every strand
woven holds a special prayer. A majority of her family members and friends can say
they have at least one of her handmade gifts.
In the presence of God and her father, Adele would marry Raymond Wilson in
1974. She was married at Christ Temple COGIC, creating a family tradition that was
repeated for many generations. The wedding was highly anticipated. Adele was
known for her keen sense of style and fashion and always sharp as a tac and clean as a
board of health. The diamond in Adele's crown would be her greatest achievement,
her son Craig who shared her sense of humor and gift of music. He was a talented
musician like his mother. He played the organ and piano and was the first pianist at
Christ Temple COGIC. Craig also studied music in college and played the trumpet
and served in the United States Army. Victoria, the pearl of her Adele's eye, also
shares Adele's sense of humor and gave her three grandchildren, Maurice, Charles and
Shakeia whom she cherished. She was Godly proud of all of the children in the
family. But her boys Chuck and Moe were her sidekicks and KeKe truly held a
special place in her heart reserved for grandchildren.
Evangelist Green Wilson was a walking miracle. During a devastating accident, she
was told that she would never be able to walk again. Her father and Pastor, Dr. D.H.
Green would testify that he prayed, "Lord if you heal her, I will preach the balance of
my life." His prayer was answered. She was healed and would testify and shout up
and down the aisle every time she entered the sanctuary. She was also blessed with a
very distinct dignified walk with a little bop that your recognize from anywhere. She
was no ordinary person. Many passersby would often look up and listen to her
prayers and songs which you could hear effortlessly flowing outside of her window.
She'd be praising her Savior "all the day long" as she would say. As an
encouragement, she would often tell you, "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness
thereof" meaning anything you want God's got it. Adele was very supportive and
believed in education and furthering yourself. Words of encouragement would be
followed with a COGIC handshake and she would even mail you a love package.
Adele was known for calling and talking for hours. She would also write letters and
send them to your house, not sure how she obtained the address, but she made sure to
reach out in any way she could. Whether it be to encourage you, check on you, or
straighten you out you were going to get a postal delivery from Adele Wilson.
Adele and her sister's Mamie and Loretta were fiercely loyal to one another and
very protective. If you were in trouble one, you were in trouble with all three. The
sisters would sing together and had a signature harmony, that last song she taught the
family was There A Tree On Each Side of the River, song by the Davis Sister's. Adele
was very special, she harnessed cultural and family traditions and passed them down
from dialect, songs, recipes, and her most treasured, holiness. Her yeast rolls and
bread, coconut custard pie, pound cake, brown gravy and many dishes were famously
delicious. She loved her family and planned the majority of the family reunions.
Adele was the very thread of the connection to family from the south and multiple
generations.
Adele was a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and a friend to family and
others. In her later years and during the short illness of her father, she would become a
caregiver. Nothing could prepare her for the reverse of roles, but she embraced it, and
they enjoyed each other's company immensely. Together, father and daughter would
have regular outings and field trips, something foreign to both of them, as the majority
of their lives was of service foremost to God, the church and family. This was a
special time to live out the prayers her grandmother prayed for her father, that his last
days be his best days and in true Evangelist Missionary form, she stood on the
promises of God and made sure that he saw his best days.
Adele Green Wilson is the last of her generation, preceded her in death by, her parents
Rev. Dr. Dodenhuff Green and Lucille (Robinson) Green, stepmother, Mother Evelyn
Fenn Green, Special Aunts, Queen and Myrtis, siblings, Mamie Lou, Queen Ethel,
Myrtis Ann, Dodenhuff (Buck), and Loretta, husband Raymond Wilson, son Craig
Gatewood, son in law, Lee Charles Lattimore. She leaves to cherish her memory,
brothers in law Dennis Bouknight and George W. Grier, daughter, Victoria Lattimore,
grandchildren Maurice Lattimore, Charles Lattimore, Shakeia Lattimore, and a host of
great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, church family and the
community.