Dexter C. Wilemon

Dexter was born in New Site, MS to Coleman Fletcher Wilemon and Minnie Lee. His father’s first wife passed away leaving him with seven children. He then met and married Minnie Lee, a school teacher, and had three more children, Irma, Vester, and Dexter. Dexter’s mother died while he was five years old. Aunts and uncles assisted in caring for him, and at the age of 13 his father died. He then moved in with his married sister Irma and helped out on their farm, helping with all of the chores of milking cows and tending a large garden. Dexter also picked cotton on the farm and was paid 75 cents per 100 pounds. He bragged about picking 200 pounds one morning. During his high school years, he was the custodian for the school, which included chopping wood to heat the classroom, and was paid $8.00 a month. After high school Dexter joined the Navy and was stationed in San Pedro before shipping out to Maui, Hawaii. While stationed in San Pedro, Dexter, through his friend Paul Brake, met Vivian Wilson, and they began their relationship. While Dexter was stationed on Maui, Dexter and Vivian corresponded frequently and exchanged thoughtful gifts. After Dexter’s discharge from the Navy as Seaman First Class, he returned to Mississippi, and lived with his sister Irma. Shortly after, Vivian took the train from Los Angeles to Tupelo, MS, and Dexter and Vivian were married in 1945. Dexter and Vivian moved to Detroit for a while where Dexter worked for General Motors. They also lived for a time in Connecticut where Dexter worked for General Electric.

Dexter and Vivian moved out to California and Dexter worked at the General Motors plant in Van Nuys, CA. Vivian’s parents had a ranch on Sepulveda Boulevard and Dexter grew corn and sold his corn at a stand he established on the ranch. Their first child, Craig, was born in 1947, but died around the age of nine months due to kidney issues. Dwain Porter was born April 1, 1948, and Marvin Douglas followed on June 23, 1949. After Craig’s death, Dexter was searching for solace and attended a Billy Graham Crusade where he found salvation. He began attending the First Baptist Church in Van Nuys. Dexter felt the call to become a preacher, so he and Vivian moved to Chattanooga, TN, where he began attending Tennessee Temple University. While in Chattanooga, Lee Yvonne was born October 28, 1950, and as he was graduating with his degree, Kathleen Elaine was born May 19, 1953. After Dexter’s graduation from college, he and Vivian moved to Big Bear Lake, CA, where he became a pastor at a small congregation. While living in Big Bear, Rebecca Ruth was born on November 10, 1954.

In 1957, the Wilemons moved to Santa Susana, CA to pastor another church, and had son James Steven on May 5, 1957. Their next move was to Garden Grove, CA, where he aspired to be a traveling evangelist. During this time, he also helped support his family by working at a dairy and selling Fuller Brush products door to door, often assisted by his children. While living in Garden Grove, Rachel Elizabeth was born July 1, 1960. The family then moved to Baldwin Hills and later to El Monte, CA, where he pastored a small congregation. After his tenure finished in El Monte, the family moved to Granada Hills and lived with Vivian’s mother, Lena Wilson. During this time, Daniel Huntley was born on November 9, 1963. Dexter then found a new pastor position at a small church in Littlerock, CA, where he pastored for five years until he again aspired to do evangelical work and travel. He purchased a home and small country store in Centerville, Arkansas, and attempted to establish himself as an evangelist. He again pastored at a small church in Dardanelle, Arkansas for several years before moving the family west again to Glendale, Arizona, working again for several years as a pastor.

The next move was to North Las Vegas, Nevada, where Dexter took a pastor position. They were there, I believe, about two years. The family next moved to Chattanooga, TN, where children Rachel and Daniel attended Tennessee Temple University, Dexter’s alma mater.

With the last of their children moved out of the home, Dexter and Vivian moved to Williams, Arizona, which Vivian enjoyed immensely. Somewhere down the line, Dexter and Vivian moved back to Booneville, MS, Dexter’s hometown, where they lived for several years. He was a pastor for a church and also held revivals from time to time. He preached anywhere there was an opportunity and even had a television show. In time, due to their advancing age, Yvonne and James assisted Dexter and Vivian in finding a home in Mesa, Arizona so they could live closer to family.

In Mesa, Dexter and Vivian enjoyed attending church regularly and made many friends. Dexter was often asked to preach at the services. They also enjoyed visits with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dexter would often entertain family and friends with his guitar and mandolin playing, singing songs he learned at a young age, and he loved singing hymns. He had a very good memory and could tell many stories about his younger years and beyond.

He loved his wife Vivian dearly and they were married 67 years before her death in 2015. Dexter is survived by his eight children, Dwain (Kathy) Wilemon, Marvin Wilemon, Lee Yvonne Niles (Tim) Kathleen (Catherine) Simone, Rebecca(Tim), Gault, James Wilemon, Rachel Cook, Daniel (Lynn) Wilemon. He also has 28 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Dexter dedicated his life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone anywhere and was able to witness many of them accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Lord!”