The Rev. Roland McCoy Wilson Sr. was laid to rest Saturday at Sweet Home Church of Christ Holiness USA. Services was officiated by Rev. Eddie Douzart III of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.Rev. Wilson, 61, passed away Tuesday, April 6 at the Rapides Hospital. A resident of Jonesboro, he worked for 17 years in the facilities department at Grambling State University.
After being called into the ministry, his religious focus included correctional and nursing home facilities. Wilson’s joyful spirit touched the lives of many.
Remembering him is his wife Eloise Wilson of Jonesboro; Henry Pearl Wilson of Franklinton; two Sons Roland McCoby Wilson Jr. of Jonesboro and Roshell Oeil Wilson of Ruston; a daughter Sherry Wilson Evans of San Diego, Calif.; brothers Ronald Wilson of Monroe and Rodgers Wilson of Phoenix, Ark. He also leaves behind six grandchildren.
Mayfield remembered
Curtis Mayfield was born on April 17, 1919, in the Jackson Parish area, to the union of John “Boss” and Luella Mayfield. He passed away early on April 11. He was the eldest and the last of their children to leave this earthly place.
He was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Hilly, where he served as deacon until his death.
Curtis was admired by many gospel music lovers and many baseball fans. He was the lead singer with Ruston’s Silvertone Gospel Singers and the founder and leader of The Truetone Gospel Singers.
Curtis was the catcher and manager of Ruston’s Negro League baseball team called Ruston Black Sox. (His grandsons have formed a team also named the Ruston Black Sox).
He worked at Grambling State University for 25 years and served in the U.S. Navy before returning to Ruston