Gwendolyn Wilson

Gwendolyn A. Harris Wilson was born June 7, 1932 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, the only child of the late Walter W. Armstrong and Mary A. Weston.  God called her home early on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

She attended public schools in Nashville, graduating from Pearl High School in 1949.   She attended Tennessee State University and majored in Home Economics for two years until she withdrew to take care of her grandparents.  She was employed for over 23 years with the Tennessee Department of Social Services as a Social Worker.

Cooking dinners and baking desserts was her passion.  She loving prepared and catered meals for her family, the church, friends and co-workers for over 50 years.

Gwendolyn accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age.  She was a lifelong active and faithful member of New Salem AME Church.  Gwendolyn had a beautiful voice and loved singing for the Lord. She was a member of the choir for over 60 years.  For many years she served as a Trustee and Secretary of the Sunday School Board. Her father, Walter W. Armstrong, along with Musical Director James Scandrick, organized the 13^th AME District Conference choir in the late 1960s of which she was a member and secretary.  She also sang for over 40 years with the Tennessee Conference Choir which began during the 1970’s.  They sang at the AME bicentennial in Philadelphia in 1978.

Gwendolyn married Thomas H. Harris at the age of 23.  To this union, three children were born – Ann, Rhonda and Darryl. Thomas served in the military and during their first few years of marriage, they lived in several states, including Hawaii.  After several years, she returned to Nashville to raise her family and help her parents.  Her union to Thomas ended after 28 years.  She later married James Wilson in 1986. They were married for 19 years until his death in 2005.  “Momma Gwen”, or “Gwemps” as she was affectionally known to those closest to her, had a passion for service and caring for others.  She lovingly provided home health care to her grandmother (Julia Armstrong), grandfather (Charlie Armstrong), Aunt (Julia Armstrong Swann), mother (Mary Weston), husband (James Wilson), and father (Walter Armstrong) all of whom preceded her in death. Her beloved son, Darryl, also preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing Brenda (Greg) Walker, Los Angeles, CA; Ann (David) Jackson, Nashville, TN, Rhonda (James) McCray, Owings Mills, MD. Bonus daughters, Angela Chambers Lawrence, Beverly A. Lockridge, and Yolanda “Pinkey” Phillips.  Grandchildren Jeremy London, Brian (Celisse) McCray, Sr., Camille (Brandon) Tyson, Tiffany Harris and Darryl Harris, Jr.  Great grandchildren Ja’Sean London, Brian McCray, Jr., Royal McCray, Cairo Tyson, Harmony and Mark ”Trey” Manier.

Devoted sister in Law Ruth Washington, niece & nephew Valerie and Fred Johnson.  Devoted and Loving cousin Barbara Stratton Campbell and her children – Debra Ann, Andrea, Tammy Lynn, and Timothy.  Cousins Leroy & Eloise Stratton, Jimmy & Bernetta Stratton, Shirley Bowens, The Brown Family, Catherine, Patricia, Carolyn Brown, Delores Griffin, as well as many other relatives.

Special friends Faye Walker, Frances and Albert Larry, Barbara and Alvin Owens, Patricia Clark, Valencia Phillips, Tony Williams, Ronnie Harris, Cleadis Siviles, Aundra Lafayette, Gail & Roger Ligons, Donzella Bowins, Samuel & Ruby Robinson, Alana & Allen Watson, Bernice Rowe, Antoine and Kayla Jackson and many others.