- Date Of Birth: August 29, 1940
- Date Of Death: April 11, 2023
- State: Nebraska
Mary Edith Jones was born to the union of Jesse Henry Jones and Bertha Jones on August 29, 1940 in Paris,
Arkansas. She completed her primary and secondary education in Omaha Public Schools. She wed the late
Elmer Eugene Rico Wilson, Sr ., and from that union four children were born, Elmer Eugene Rico Wilson, Jr,.
AlChico Delvago Wilson, Turena Antone Wilson, and DeAngela Elise Wilson (Swain). In the summer of
1969, she and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after she would become a widow after the
death of her husband in 1972, afterwhich she moved back to Omaha in 1973. She was a licensed Missionary at
the Faith Mission Church of God in Christ. Mary was also a member of Robinson Memorial COGIC and Faith
Temple COGIC here in Omaha. She was active in the Young Women’s Christian Council and the Faith Temple
Choir where she recorded “Ask God for Strength.” In the past years she worshiped at New Jerusalem Church
where she was pastored by Andrea Lucas. She was a vital member of that ministry where she enjoyed
teaching Sunday School. Her hope was to join her son Troy and daughter-in-law LaTasha at the St. John
COGIC under the leadership of Pastor, Kevin McNear, Sr.
She worked for the Kansas City Missouri Public Schools as a cook for several years before returning to Omaha
where she worked for the Omaha Public Schools as the Lead Cafeteria Supervisor and also ran and operated
her own child care program with many of her family and community as patrons. This gave her the opportunity
to speak into the lives of many young men and women by introducing them to Jesus Christ, she was on a
mission to wear the crown that she has now earned.
Mary would later marry Mr. Hershel Smith after moving back to Omaha, NE. To this union was born three
more sons, Anwar Smith, Coronda Smith, and Troy Smith. She continued to do ministry in her home, with the
young single mothers, and was a counselor. Mary used every gift that God gave her from cooking, singing,
preaching, teaching, evangelizing and bringing souls to Christ until her death. She was definitely a soldier in
the army of the Lord.
Her Ministry spans at least 7 decades (70 years) as a teacher, counselor, evangelist and singer, Mary began her
ministry at home with her children, then it spread to the community. It was not uncommon to see children
gathered on her porch listening to Bible stories and singing. She loved engaging with all people no matter how
old nor how young. Through her illness she was still compelling men and women who cared for her to accept
Jesus Christ, many did. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that
winneth souls is wise. A wise woman who influenced many, in these days she was an “Influencer”. Her son
Elmer now, Reverend Elmer Wilson followed her footsteps into the ministry of Jesus Chris to compel men and
women to accept Christ as their personal savior.
Mother Mary Edith Wilson-Smith departed this life on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, for eternity with her Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. She is preceded in death by her parents; Jesse Henry Jones and Bertha Chaney Jones; her
son, AlChico Aundre Delvago Wilson, and her daughter DeAngela Elise Wilson (Swain); her brothers Charles
Douglas Jones, Marble Eugene Jones, Guy Marion Jones, James Henry Jones, and William Hadley Jones Sr.
Mother Mary Edith Wilson leaves to cherish her memories – her beloved children; Elmer Eugene Rico Wilson
Jr., (Betty) Florissant, MO; Tureno Antone Wilson, Anwar Barre Smith, Coronda Demetrius Seth Smith, and
Troy Tiras Smith (LaTasha) Omaha, her brothers; LeRoy Jones (Julia) Los Angeles, California, John Lewis
Jones (Carolyn) Los Angeles, Javis Arvel Jones (Alberta) Omaha, Don Fanon Chaney-Thomas) Covington,
Georgia, and sisters, Gladys Norene, Jones (Denver, Colorado), Carol Hopkins, Albuquerque, NM, Rene’
Mathis, Wellington, Texas, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins(Chaney-Jones), and friends.
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