NEWBERRY — Zena A. Wilson, the eldest member of New Hope AME Church, will celebrate her 100th birthday on April 10.
Wilson, who was born in Mountville, made her home in Clinton in 1937. Also known as “Aunt White” to the family, she is the widow of Leonard Casey Wilson, with whom she had three children: daughter Benzena Gillis-Wicker and sons Samuel “Sam” Lewis Wilson and Leonard Lee Wilson, who is deceased.
She has 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She lives in Newberry with her daughter.
Wilson, considered the “mother” of the church, is the namesake of the Zena A. Wilson Missionary Society. Her favorite song is “Hold my hand, While I run this Race.”
Wilson was honored in 2007 as a Sarah Allen Torchlighter of the Greenville Area Missionary. She loved and nurtured many children, and carried them to different Christian programs and events, where she encouraged the children to participate.
She retired from Presbyterian College as a key custodian. She continues to be active in The National Negro Women Council, which was established in her home, is a member of EOS Morning Glory191, attends Senior Option, Laurens Women Aid Society and Newberry Women Aid Society.