Nealie Barnette Wilson, age 88 of Fayette, passed away June 10, 2023, at the Fayette Medical Center. Mrs. Wilson will lie in state on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Norwood Wyatt Chapel from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Services will be Friday, June 16, 2023, at Norwood Wyatt Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Randy Miller officiating. Mrs. Wilson will lie in state one hour prior to service and burial will follow at Fayette Memorial Gardens.
Nealie Barnette Wilson was born to Ulysses “Bill” Wilson and Carrie Guin Wilson on May 21, 1935 in Kennedy, AL. She was the second child of five children born into the Wilson household. She departed this life at approximately 4: 55 a.m. on June 10, 2023 at Fayette Medical Center DCH. She went to her Celestial home with a band of Angels and loved ones waiting at Heaven’s gate to receive her.
She Joined St. Paul C.M.E. Church in Kennedy, AL at an early age. She graduated from Sumter County Training School in 1955, in Livingston, and attended Daniel Payne College in Birmingham, AL. She also attended Alabama A&M University in Normal AL, post high school graduation.
Nealie had a burning desire to expand her horizon and she decided to relocate to Huntington, NY. She worked various jobs while living there. It was definitely a move in the right direction as she made many close friends. She retired from New York State after 25 years of service as a health care worker.
She married the love of her life, Mr. Herbert Dunkley on May 23, 1998, in Wyandanch NY. She served faithfully as a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Huntington NY. She later returned home to her roots in Fayette AL in 2003 and joined the St. James C.M.E. Church family under the leadership of Rev. David King as Sunday School teacher, Missionary worker and Stewardess. She would often go above and beyond making selfless sacrifices to support her church by donating financially and otherwise as needed. She would also make sure the church food pantry was stocked with contributions from friends and family.
Nealie thoroughly enjoyed watching the NBA games and was a staunch supporter of her select teams and favorite players. She could readily call them by name in conversation. She was loved by many and was very caring and empathetic with a heart of gold. She loved her family and was always positive, supportive, nonjudgmental, and encouraging. She was a saint and she has truly lived up to her calling of serving others. A true foot soldier for the Lord and an exemplary virtuous woman.
She is preceded in death by, her parents, two brothers, Preston and Douglas Wilson and two sisters, Mae Ella Walden and Clarice Davis.
She leaves to cherish her memory one loving and devoted daughter, Linda Ann Wilson, Fayette AL; one grandson Brian (Sonja) Wilson, Huntsville, AL; one great grandson, Brian Wilson II, Huntsville, AL; sister-in-law, Willean Wilson of Kentucky; great niece, Adreka Wilson, Boston MA; godson, Brian McDougle of Melbourne FL; special cousin, Agnes Crenshaw, Fayette, AL; Itasca Davis, a special friend and church member whom she spoke with daily, and a host of other relatives and friends.