Rachel Wilson

Rachel Hazel Wilson was born October 1, 1910 to William & Louise Perry in Bay City (Matagorda County) Texas. She was the sixth of nine children born to this union. Rachel is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, Thomas, William, John, Joseph, Coleman, James, one sister Dorothy Emma Brown, former husband James Perry Wilson and two grandchildren, Michael Brown & Christi Hennessy. The family moved to Houston, TX when Rachel was very young and it was there she received her formal education, graduating from Jack Yates High School and she received a scholarship to Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. In 1931 she first came to San Francisco, CA to assist her older sister with her three children. After a year they returned to Houston. Rachel moved back to San Francisco permanently in 1935 and joined the Ellis Street Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Elder Van Goodlow. At that church she met James Perry Wilson and in 1937 they were married. To this union five children were born. In 1941, Elder Eugene Hamilton became the pastor and the church moved to 1760 Post Street. Soon after that Rachel became the church secretary a position she held until she moved to Santa Rosa. Rachel was determined to raise her children with high standards and values. She went to work at San Francisco General Hospital and at the same time went to night school to get her license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She worked there until 1960, when she purchased property and moved to Santa Rosa, CA. with her two youngest sons. Rachel worked at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and remained there until her retirement in 1975. During this time she continued to be an active member at Emanuel COGIC in San Francisco and would make the commute by bus along with her sister Dorothy Brown. Rachel also attended Power House COGIC (under watch membership) when she was unable to make the trip to San Francisco. In 2001, Rachel’s sight began to fail and she was unable to care for herself. She moved to Southern California with her oldest son Carl for two years. She returned to Northern California staying with her son George for two years. In 2005, she moved in with her daughter Eleanor in Oakland. Ms. Ellie (Eleanor) took excellent care of her. She began attending the Good Samaritan Cathedral Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop Donald R. Murray. She enjoyed attending the church on Sundays and they welcomed her with open arms. She remained a faithful servant until the Lord decided it was time to bring her to her Heavenly home. Rachel answered the Masters call on June 27, 2015. She leaves to cherish these precious memories; four sons, James Carl of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, (Bessie) Pittsburg, CA, George Edward (Claudia) of Oakland, CA, Marvin Leonard (Gwen) of Renton, WA, Charles Herbert (Olga) of Santa Rosa, CA and one daughter Eleanor Lois Herron of Oakland, CA, one sister Cathryn Canida of San Francisco, CA, twelve grandchildren, Shahid Abdus-Salaam Kansas City, MO (Bertha Milton) Arlington, TX, LaSaundra Wilson (John Berry) Pittsburg, CA, George Wilson Jr. (Tracy) Fairfield, CA, Paul Pettway New York, NY, Keyana Herron Houston, TX, Jesseree Dufourt Oakland, CA, Shauntoya Jones (Marcus) Renton, WA, Donyea Wilson Renton, WA, Jervante Wilson (Erin) Renton, WA, Marcus Wilson (Adriana) Santa Rosa, CA, Maia Sturges (Brian) Sacramento, CA, Kesha Castellanos (Anthony) Santa Rosa, CA, fourteen great-grandchildren, one great, great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews,church associates and friends.

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Rachel Wilson

October 1, 1910 - June 27, 2015