Mary Ethel Campbell Wilson
May 5, 1917 – March 26, 2009
Barrington, Rhode Island
Rev. Mary Ethel (Campbell) Wilson, widow of Rev. William K. Wilson, passed away in Bristol, RI on Thursday, March 26, 2009, following a long period of ill health.
Born May 5, 1917, in Marsboro, Quebec, she was the daughter of Martin J. and Annie Belle (MacKay) Campbell. In 1935, she graduated from Deering High School in Portland, ME and enrolled in The School of the Prophets (now Zion Bible College), in East Providence, RI. She graduated in the spring of 1938 and began teaching the following year, a position she held for 43 years. In 1941, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the school and remained an active Board Member and Board Member Emeritus until her death.
Following the death of the school’s founder and principal, Rev. Christine A. Gibson, in 1957, Rev. Wilson became principal, a position she held until 1981. In 1969, she was ordained to the ministry by Dr. Leonard W. Heroo, pastor of Zion Gospel Temple, East Providence, RI.
She traveled extensively, visiting the Holy Land, Europe, the Caribbean Islands, British Guiana, and Africa, and attended three Pentecostal World Conferences.
In 1981, she married the Rev. William K. Wilson. She served as president of Zion Bible Institute for two years, while her husband served as pastor of Zion Gospel Temple. She was actively involved with Zion Bible Institute for more than 65 years and remained a member of Zion Gospel Temple until the end of her life.
In 1993, she authored a book, The Obedience of Faith, which records the story of Rev. Gibson. The motto Rev. Wilson lived by was: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Rev. William K. Wilson; a brother, M. Lloyd Campbell of New Hampshire; and a stepson, Paul Wilson. Survivors include a stepson, William Wilson of Copperas Cove, TX; three beloved nieces, Cassandra Laleme, Lois Gillingham, and Nila Swenson, all of NH; and many step-nieces, step-nephews, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind thousands of Zion friends the world over.
Calling hours at Zion Gospel Temple, 90 Leonard Ave., East Providence, RI, are as follows: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 5 to 8 PM; Wednesday, April 1, 9 to 10 AM. The funeral service will be at 10 AM, also at Zion Gospel Temple. Interment will be at Spring Vale Cemetery in Rumford, RI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Zion Bible College, 320 South Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01835, designated for the Zion Prayer Center. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com. – See more at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Rev.-Mary-Ethel-Wilson/Barrington-RI/652323
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