Johnny Lee Wilson

Johnny Lee Wilson, son of the late Pinkney Wilson Sr. and Ellen White Wilson of Manning, departed this life Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at Palmetto Health Richland, after a lengthy illness.

He was born July 28, 1957, in Manning. He attended elementary and high school in Clarendon School District 2, where he earned a high school diploma. He pursued and successfully completed a bachelor and master’s degrees in social work from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg. He continued his education at Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, Ga., where he successfully completed and earned national board certification from the Funeral Service Examining Board of the United States Inc. He became a member of Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

He served in many organizations throughout the state, including the Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) Masonic Order. Areas of service within the Masonic Order PHA include Ancient Egyptian Order of the Noble Mystic Shrine, PHA; district deputy for the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge District 7, PHA; 32 Degree Mason, PHA; C.C. Johnson Consistory No. 136, PHA; worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, New Light No. 254 PHA.

Other professional affiliations, certifications and licensures include licensed CRCF residential administrator, licensed master social worker LMSW, certified Summary Court judge, Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity, and member of the Cross Cultural Action Council of the S.C. Department of Mental Health.

He was a valued member of Clarendon County, where he was employed for 23 years by the state of South Carolina. Some of the positions he held include human service coordinator with the Department of Social Services; chief mental health counselor, RILS program director and director of Harvin Haven Group Home, all with the Department of Mental Health; Summary Court judge in the Clarendon County Judicial District; and Fleming and Delaine Funeral Home, where he proudly served as a mortician for many years.

He leaves to mourn, a loving and devoted son, Jarvin Wilson; stepdaughter, Tishekia Graham; mother, Ellen White Wilson; brothers, Willie (the Rev. Thyra) Briggs, Pinkney (Joan) Wilson, Sham (Velma) Wilson, Minister Gregory (Joyce) Wilson, the Rev. Myron (Brenda) Wilson and Leonard (Sharon) Wilson of Atlanta; and sisters, Sarah (John) Whack, Margaree Whack, Reatha (Marvin) Blanding, Vermele (Howard) Green, Mary (Wayne) Thompson and Beverly Wilson.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Manning Elementary School with Pastor Henry K. Pressley officiating, assisted by the Revs. Major Lloyd, Terry Johnson, Lillian Wright and Myron Wilson.

Interment followed at the Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church cemetery in Paxville.

Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.