Deaconess Fannie Mae Wilson

The Life & Legacy of a Great Woman...

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

- II Timothy 4:7

On Thursday, July 4th, 1940, in the countryside of Ayden, North Carolina, a firework of grace was born. Fannie “Mae” Wilson entered the world as the youngest of eight children to the late Jesse and Nellie Smith Wilson. Though she arrived on Independence Day, her life became its own declaration of faith, resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family.

Educated in the Pitt County School System, Fannie graduated from South Ayden High School as a proud member of the Class of 1960. Determined to equip herself to serve others, she later attended Pitt Technical Institute, earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health in 1975. Her pursuit of education reflected her heart; she wanted to help people heal.

After working at Pitt Memorial Hospital, she began what would become a remarkable 27-year career at the Walter B. Jones Alcoholic and Drug Rehabilitation Center in Greenville, North Carolina. There, she did far more than fulfill a job description. She stood in the gap for the broken, extended hope to the weary, and offered dignity to those fighting life’s hardest battles. What she did professionally, she did personally; restore, uplift, and encourage. Beyond her professional service, she remained active in the community and was a proud member of the Non-Working Women Fellowship of Pitt County.

At an early age, she professed her faith and was baptized at Haddock Chapel Free Will Baptist Church at Haddock’s Crossroads in Winterville, North Carolina. It was there that her love for God was deepened and her spiritual gifts were nurtured.  She served faithfully there for many years under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Jones, growing in grace and spiritual maturity. 

“Who can find a virtuous woman? She is worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Aunt Fannie’s qualities of hard work, fear of God, encouragement, care for others, concern for the poor and love for her family, all led her to a life of enjoyment, honor and worth. While on her spiritual journey, she was consecrated as a Mother at St. Edward Free Will Baptist Church of Dover, North Carolina under the pastoral leadership of her nephew, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson. Later, she served faithfully as a Deaconess at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Ahoskie, North Carolina, also under his pastoral leadership. In every house of worship she entered, she carried reverence, wisdom, and quiet strength. She did not seek titles, but she embodied them.

To very few, she was Fannie Mae, but to many she was simply and profoundly, “Aunt Fannie.” Though she never gave birth to children of her own, she mothered generations. Her love was not defined by bloodlines, but by commitment. She lovingly raised her late niece Sonia Morris as her own daughter. She also helped raise Karsten and Jeffrey as her own sons, pouring into them discipline, wisdom, protection, and unconditional love. Her nurturing presence helped shape their character, their faith, and their futures. As life progressed, Aunt Fannie even relocated to Grifton, North Carolina, to assist in the care of Pastor Ollie Grace Harris, another reflection of her deep love for people and her willingness to serve wherever she was needed.

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” (Maya Angelou) To be loved by Aunt Fannie was to be fully covered; covered in prayer, covered in correction, covered in loyalty, and above all, covered in unwavering love.

She possessed a sharp mind and an insatiable desire to learn. A lifelong reader and thinker, she believed growth had no expiration date. At sixty years young, she enrolled at Lenoir Community College and earned her credential as a licensed nail technician. Retirement did not slow her down; it simply redirected her purpose. She went on to work in several nail salons, proving that passion does not retire.

Her hands were gifted in countless ways. She took pride in cooking collards and sweet potato pies that tasted like love. Her kitchen was a sanctuary of warmth, and her table was a place of belonging. 

Aunt Fannie loved people and never met a stranger!  Everyone knew Aunt Fannie by her angelic and infectious smile that could easily brighten anyone’s day. Her smile was accompanied by a warm and bubbly personality along with a great fashion sense. She loved to dress! She was a lady of many hats. She owned a beautiful collection of hats to complement her elegant suits, stunning dresses, dazzling purses, and admirable shoes. Aunt Fannie always made a fashion statement! 

She was a beautiful person both internally and externally, who had an unconditional love for her family and friends. A friend to many and a treasure to all who knew her, she honored her family and cherished her friendships. If she could help you, she would, without hesitation.

And if you knew her, you knew she loved the open road. She and her car were constant companions. For years, she operated what the family affectionately calls her “unofficial taxi service,” faithfully transporting countless people wherever they needed to go. If you needed a ride, she was already on her way. If you needed help, she had already decided that the answer was yes.

“Upon life’s journey, we are given opportunities to plant seeds of goodness, seeds of kindness, and seeds of blessings that bestow our hearts,  our work, and our being. For those that sow the fields with loving generosity, so shall they reap the abundant harvest of eternal life.”  After a brief illness, Aunt Fannie peacefully entered eternal rest on Thursday, February 26th, 2026, in the care of ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, North Carolina.  Her seeds are well-sown; her service on earth is complete, and she now experiences the victory and triumph of eternal life. She is reunited in glory with her parents, Jesse and Nellie Smith Wilson; her siblings, Norfleet Wilson (Infant), Johnny “Boot” Wilson, Bettie Pearl Robinson, Nellie Gray Wilson, Jessie Mae Wilson, Retha “Pig” Wilson, and Elijah “Buster” Wilson; her beloved niece and daughter in love, Sonia Morris; her close and cherished niece, Wyomia Wilson Hinton and her nephew, Joseph Robinson. 

Her sweet spirit, caring heart and generosity will long be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.  We who are bound by treasured ties of love and affection, as we pass her to God’s keeping are: nephews, Karsten (Cynthia) Robinson of Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson of Ahoskie, North Carolina, Shyheed and John Hinton III of Winterville, North Carolina, Danny Gray Wilson of Topeka, Kansas, Lavet Gardner (Allison) of Cove City, North Carolina, Jessie Robinson of Seattle, Washington, Jesse Wilson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Trent White of Baltimore, Maryland; nieces, Phyllis Wilson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose faithful daily phone calls were a constant source of connection and love, Nellie Wilson of Greenville, North Carolina, Sandra Robinson of New York, New York, Sondra Robinson of New York, New York, Joyce Porter of Washington, District of Columbia and Jade White Taylor of Baltimore, Maryland; God Daughters, Angeline Mills of Raleigh, North Carolina and Sandra Kilpatrick of Greenville, North Carolina; God Sisters, Darlene Pollard of Ayden, North Carolina, Linda Howard and Shirley Bennett both of Ahoskie, North Carolina and Bertha Watson of Powellsville, North Carolina, along with a host of extended nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends whose lives are forever better because she lived.

Aunt Fannie did not measure her life by what she accumulated, but by whom she loved. She may not have birthed children, but she raised sons and daughters. She may not have sought recognition, but she made a lasting impact. Her life was steady, her love was intentional and her legacy is eternal.

The Caring Team of T. L. Faison’s Funeral Care, LLC is privileged to assist the esteemed Management and Staff of Trinity Funeral Service in providing

“Professional Care, With Dignity & Integrity” - “With the Spirit of Excellence, Dignity & Devotion”

to the family of Deaconess Fannie Mae Wilson.

We ask that you unite with us in remembering Dr. Jeffrey Wilson and the entire Wilson family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

https://www.trinitymemorialfh.com/obituary/DeaconessFannie-Wilson

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