Mercedes Hannibal-Wildgoose

Mercedes grew up and attended Cornish Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Key West, Florida where she played at times as a musician. She graduated from Douglass High School in Key West, Florida, and then upon graduation, she went on in 1948 to attend Florida A & M University (FAMU formerly FAMC), located in Tallahassee, Florida where she became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was an Omega Sweetheart. While at FAMC aka FAMU, she obtained a Bachelors' degree in Elementary Education, and a minor in Music Education. She later returned to FAMU to receive a Master's degree in Education. While attending FAMU, she met the love of her life, Clarence Wildgoose, Sr. Clarence and Mercedes both graduated from FAMC/FAMU, and then moved to Key West, Florida, to get married. Mercedes and her husband both returned to Mercedes's Alma Mater, Douglass High School, where they both became school teachers. Mercerdes taught First through Twelfth grade and also Music. Once integration took place, she was assigned to teach music throughout the years in several elementary schools, Horace O’Brian Middle School, and Key West High School. She was also the Music Curriculum Specialist/Coordinator for all schools within Monroe County.

Mercedes was very active in the community as a church musician and a pianist who played at many weddings, funerals, banquets, and programs where she also sang solos. She also was the Choral Director of a men's group called "The Ambassadors". Mercedes was the musician on the Key West Florida Naval Base for the Naval Chapter for 14 years. She was a member of the Walter R. Mickens Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 6021 for many years where she also served a one- year term as President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, treasurer, musician, as well as several years as their National Musician. She was also a member of the Sacred Circle of Elders, (The Wisdom

Keepers).

After 38 years of teaching, Mercedes and her husband Clarence Wildgoose, Sr. retired and moved to her husband’s hometown, West Palm Beach, Florida to be closer to their adult children. Upon retirement, she became a member of the Florida Retired Education Association. Once she moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, she joined Trinity United Methodist in 1995, and served as the musician for the children's choir, and a member of the United Methodist Women. Mercedes also served as a musician during that time at Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church. While attending the Senior Citizen program once a week at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, she would entertain others as well as herself by volunteering to play Gospels songs on one of the available pianos.

Mercedes truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures such as playing for years her favorite game of Bingo, chatting and spending time with family and friends, solving word search puzzles, playing music on the piano for leisure, enjoyed doing arts and crafts, and reserving time every night for her favorite night time snack of Butter Pecan ice cream. Mercedes enjoyed life to the fullest! Mercedes, the Hannibal’s family matriarch, was a fun-loving, strong, independent, spunky, energetic, kind, caring and loving spirit who taught her children and others around her how to live and love by example. She embraced and adopted many of her children’s friends as her own and was affectionately called by many as “GRANNY”. Her smile, laughter, outspokenness, sassiness, and her own little dance with or without music, for the music was within her. Her presence lit up any room!

She was preceded by her parents, Shadrack Sr. and Irene Hannibal; siblings, Samuel Hannibal, Floyd Hannibal, Geneva Hannibal, Howard Hannibal and Shadrack Hannibal, Jr.

She leaves many to celebrate her time on earth: Children: Carmen Lita Wildgoose (step-daughter), Yvette Wildgoose Williams, Clarence Wildgoose, Jr. (Tanya), Darryl Wildgoose (Caris). Grandchildren: Tavia Sgambati (Michele), Monique Williams, Jamel Williams, Duwaun Wildgoose, Brandon Wildgoose, Clarence Elijah Wildgoose, Sean Newkirk, Dekayla Wildgoose, Dalvin Wildgoose, Sabrina Wildgoose, Darryl Wildgoose, Jr., Leroy W. Great-Granchildren: Walter Godfrey, Giuliana Sgambati, Jakobe Burdt, James Burdt, Elijah Williams, Venmekya Mills. Great-Great Grandchildren: Leilani Aaliyah Braland. Nieces: Warniece Hannibal Johnson, Anita Hannibal-Richardson-Johnson, Hortense Farly, Nephews: Kelsey Hannibal (Felicia), Gary Hannibal (Koquilla): numerous grand nieces, nephews and cousins. She also had an enormous extended family whom she loved unconditionally, and an abundance number of spiritual and special friends and students who are too numerous to list.