Dr. Valerie Wilson

Dr. Valerie Petit Wilson entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the age of 67 after a six-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her beloved husband Melvin N. Wilson; sons Daniel L. Setlow, Craig A. Setlow (Christina), Perry A. Wilson; daughter Valleri D. Kimbro (Jeffery); sister Adrianne P. Mitchell; brother Andre A. Broomfield (Kiante); father Alvin J. Petit; aunt Doris S. Kelly; nephews Marco J. Borne (Genean), Korey T. Watson; niece Marisa A. Mitchell; and grandchildren Craig A. Setlow Jr., Taylor M. Wilson, and Bencia J. Pinnix (Jamil). Valerie is preceded in death by her mother Lorraine K. Petit; and uncle Cyril G. Kelly Jr. She was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from Xavier Prep, Xavier University (New Orleans), and Johns Hopkins University, where she was the first female African-American to receive a Ph.D. in a biology field. She was a charter member of the Xavier University chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Valerie enjoyed dancing with her mother's dancing school, the Kelly School of Dance. She was a skilled quilter and avid gardener. She received a Master Gardener certification posthumously from LSU. Valerie served as Deputy Director of the Division of Graduate Education at the National Science Foundation. Prior, she served at Brown University as an Associate Provost and Director of Institutional Diversity, an Associate Dean of the Graduate School, the Director of the Brown-Tugaloo Partnership, as a faculty member, and the Executive Director of the Leadership Alliance. She also served at Tulane University as Deputy Director of the Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research, Director of Research Core for Tulane/Xavier Center of Excellence in Women's Health, and as a member of the Health Science Faculty. She previously served in positions at the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health. The family expresses its appreciation to the numerous medical care professionals during her cancer treatment. She will be missed by her family, friends, many academia colleagues, and the students and faculty of the Kelly School of Dance. Relatives, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 3:00 pm at St. Katharine Drexel Chapel, Xavier University, New Orleans, La. Public visitation will begin at 2:00 pm. The burial will take place at a later date. Funeral Services provided by Charbonnet Labot-Glapion, Directors. GUESTBOOK ONLINE: www.charbonnetfuneralhome.com.