Donna Lee Wilson

Donna Lee Wilson, was born in Grenada, Mississippi on January 24, 1933 to Donnie and Willie M. Starks. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings (brothers) George, DJ, Thomas, Randolph and Joe Willie, a son, Michael Cotton, and daughter, Catherin Ware.

Donna moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1958 where she resided the remainder of adult life. She is remembered by many for her kind spirit and for being an amazing cook. Donna's love for her large family and children was unconditional. She devoted her life to helping them be the best they could be through her example of “quiet strength” and determination that each achieve as much as they could with hard work, education and trust in God. Her endless joy of cooking and feeding people was the center of her ability to soothe, understand and listen attentively not only to her children but other children, friends, and relatives as well. Her motto when facing problems was "Prayer changes things."

She was a faithful member of the Greater Bible Way Temple church for over 31 years under the Pastorate of Bishop Ira Combs, Jr. “Mother Wilson” could always be heard singing gospel songs and down through the years she served as a help to the Prayer Ministry, catching the city bus many days to pray at Noon. She also served with the Missionary Department and Hospitality auxiliaries where she used her skill and love of cooking to raise funding for many church endeavors. Truly, the scripture found in Ecclesiastes 9:10, was fulfilled in her life, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

Donna leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Herman Wilson, four sons: James (Donna) Cotton of Arlington, Texas; Gregory (Rosa) Cotton of Covington, Georgia; Anthony Cotton of Denver, Colorado; and Eric Duane Cotton of Jackson Michigan; seven daughters: Charlotte Crosby, Lucinda (Dennis) Treadway, Willie Mae (Bernard) Warnsley, Bertha May Cotton, all of Jackson, Michigan; Vanessa (Nigel) Brown of Belleville, Michigan; Dorris Cotton and Janice Marie Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters: Eula Neal of Athens, Georgia and Callie Mister of Covert, Michigan; Twenty-nine grandchildren; Twenty-one great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Special persons dear to Donna’s heart were Delores, Johnny, Gary, Charles, and Jerry Brown; Betty Jean Briston, Sarah Allen, Ira Combs III and Joan Peavey; friends Dorothy Upchurch, Ludester Truman, Charles Anderson, Diane Ryan and a host of other relatives and friends.

Donna’s arrangements have been entrusted to Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home, 406 First Street, Jackson, Michigan 49201. Viewing and Family Hour will be held 2:00-8:00 pm on Monday, August 24, 2015. Her Homegoing Service will be at 12 Noon on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Greater Bible Way Temple, 322 Madison Street, Jackson, MI 49202. Bishop Ira Combs, Jr., Officiating.

www.patience-montgomery.com

Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home

406 First St.

Jackson, Michigan 49201