Jerry Philip Wilson

Jerry Philip Wilson, 82, of Bear Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 11, 2024, surrounded by family, at Parkview Retirement Village in Sanford. 

Jerry was born at home, in Bear Creek, to parents Paul Alexander and Ruby Kathleen Phillips Wilson. He was the youngest of seven children and spent much of his childhood with his Uncle Doc and Aunt Ida Phillips Gaines, who he saw as second parents. In addition to his parents, uncle, and aunt, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister Berta Mae Wilson Tillman (Ernest); brothers C.D. Wilson (Bertha), Edsel Wilson, Ray Wilson (Mary Lois), and Ralph Wilson. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Carol Phillips Wilson; son Paul Wilson and wife, Kathy, of Bear Creek; daughters, Andrea Wilson Hough and husband, Randy, of Goldston, and Rebecca Wilson Ramsey and husband, David, of Bear Creek; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Arthur Wilson and wife, Betty Jo, of Bear Creek; sisters-in-law, Barbara Jean Wilson, of Greensboro and Shirley Jean Wilson, of Siler City. 

Jerry was a graduate of Chatham Central High School and later graduated from Campbell University, with a B.A. in English. He spent many years teaching English and was involved in extracurricular activities including journalism, the school paper, the Beta Club, Chess Team, and coaching tennis. Later in his career, he became the administrator and principal of Shining Light Academy in Greensboro. After retiring, Jerry continued to educate as a substitute teacher and ESL tutor.

In addition to teaching, Jerry was in full-time ministry for over 50 years. He pastored a few different churches in North Carolina, from Chatham to Bladen County, and spent 5 years pastoring in Fairfax, VA. Jerry’s call into the ministry also led him and his family to the mission field. They lived in Ghana, West Africa for a year, helping to facilitate the starting and building of churches, and spreading the gospel to the unreached tribes in remote areas. Once they were back in the States, Jerry continued the ministry by taking teams into the country every summer. Even after he was no longer able to travel, his love for the Ghanaian people never waned. 

Jerry loved his family. He was incredibly proud of his children, grands, and great-grands. He loved and supported each one through every hill and valley of life and would keep up with their many activities and accomplishments. He not only loved his biological family, but he had a natural and sincere way of making everyone feel like family. No matter where he was or who he was with, Jerry had a heart to love, accept, and encourage people, no matter what stage of their journey. To know Jerry was to know you were loved. 

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May, 15, 2024 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Darrell Garner, Pastor Cliff Daniel and Pastor Bryon Wiebold presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Joyce-Brady Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkview Retirement Village, 1801 Wicker St., Sanford, NC 27330 or the Hospice of your choice.

Condolences may be offered online at www.joycebradychapel.com

Joyce-Brady Chapel is honored to serve the Wilson Family.