Wilson, John Fletcher
2/12/1982
| John Fletcher Wilson was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on February 29, 1908, and died February 12, 1982. He was both the son and grandson of Methodist ministers. After attending college in Arkansas, he joined the Louisiana Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as a member on trial in 1931, and became a member in full connection in 1933. He served churches in Logansport, Ringgold, Cotton Valley, Oil City, Bossier City, and Greenwood. In the middle thirties he married Miss Irene Elliott of Noble, Louisiana and to this union was born two sons, John Fletcher Wilson and Paul E. Wilson, both now of Shreveport, Louisiana. While serving the First Methodist Church of Bossier City in the early forties, Brother John became ill and took disability for a while. Then he was appointed to the Greenwood Charge, where he again became ill. He was then retired in 1947 until 1970, when the Conference granted him disability until 1973, when he again retired at the age of 65. In 1947 Brother John and his family came to the Cedar Grove Area and to the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. Mrs. Wilson died March 25, 1965. Brother John was a faithful member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, where he was also a member of the Men’s Bible Class. He was in his seat at church every time he was able, which was nearly every Sunday for years. He was faithful at all work days, being able most of the time to outlast younger men than himself. His prayers were lifted up for the pastor and the congregation always. He was kind and compassionate and friendly. While unable mentally to withstand the pressures of the pastoral ministry, as a Christian among laity he made an impact on all those with whom he came into contact. He spent several years working for the Shreveport Department of Public Works. His life came to and end, I believe, as he would have wished it—simply falling in his tracks in his garden with his hoe beside him. His funeral was conducted in the church that he loved so much, the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. Brother John leaves behind him not only two sons, but a host of friends who loved him and now miss him as they cherish his memory. Charles Wesley’s hymn is most apt about Brother John: Servant of God, well done! Thy glorious warfare’s past; The battle’s fought, the race is won, and thou are crowned at last. With saints enthroned on high, Thou doest Thy Lord proclaim And still to God salvation cry, Salvation to the Lamb. |
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| Source: Journal Louisiana Conference, 1982; p. 162 By Edwin H. House, Jr. | |
