January 5, 2012

Madelaine M. Wilson, 91, of 1115 Custis Road, Suffolk, Va., died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Junnie Edwards Majette and Lula Biggs Majette. She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Wilson; two sons, John H. Bellamy Jr. and James Allen Wilson.

She was a graduate of Nansemond Collegiate Institute. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabeth City University, a master’s degree in education from Virginia State University, and furthered her education at Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University. She retired from Suffolk Public Schools, where she worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She was a volunteer with Suffolk Parks and Recreation as Activities Coordinator.

She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where she was Eucharistic Lay Minister, member of the choir, Episcopal Church Women (ECW), former vestry member, former senior warden, church school, Vacation Bible School teacher, member of the church outreach program and the church photographer. Other affiliations include Alpha Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc., charter member of the Chums Club of Suffolk, Advocacy Committee for Finney Avenue Residence, Fairgrounds Revitalization Committee and Suffolk Retired Teachers Association.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one daughter, the Rev. Madelaine “Kaye” Bellamy Johnson (Bertrum); foster sister, Gloria L. Rose, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Karon Winston, of Petersburg, Va., Sgt. Christopher Hicks, SSG Beatriz, of Savannah, Ga., Tia Parker (Tahj), of Richmond, Va., Diedre Ricks (Corie), of Suffolk, Sgt. Bertrum D. Johnson, of Tampa, Fla., Alex Johnson (Janelle), of Suffolk, and Keith Johnson; nine great-grandchildren, Jazmin and Jose Lopez, of Savannah, Calif., Isaiah Parker, of Richmond, Va., Jonathan Hicks (Corie), Jaylen, Kaitlyn, Alona and Brayden Johnson, all of Suffolk; daughter-in-law, Oriette W. Bellamy, of Petersburg; nephews, Reginald Moss (Judith), of Tarboro, N.C., and Philip L. Moss, of Hawaii; cousin, Mildred Thomas (Allison), of Portsmouth; devoted friends, Juanita W. Barnes, Lucille Dildy and Bertha Taylor; other relatives and a host of friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church with Father Frederick Walker officiating priest. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will do their Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony at 6:30 p.m., after which the family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Building Fund. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.