SUNRISE
December 11, 1938
SUNSET
October 2, 2020
C
Life Reflections
arol Jean Wesley was born on December 11, 1938 to Mr. Elbert and Mrs. Johnnie Mae Washington in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the first child of six children. Carol peacefully departed this life on Friday, October 2, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roland Edward Wesley; and her brother, Charles (Yvonne) Washington Sr. Carol, affectionately called “Jean” by loved ones, attended public schools in Jefferson County, Alabama, Edgewater Jr High from 1-9th grade. She graduated from Parker High School in 1956. After graduating from high school, she moved to East Chicago, Indiana where she resided with her maternal aunt, Lillie Kate Curry. Carol lived in East Chicago, Indiana until she met and married her husband, Dr. Roland Wesley. During her union to Dr. Wesley, she earned a Masters degree from Lewis University. Carol was a member of Evening Star Baptist Church in Edgewater, Alabama, a small community in West Jefferson County. Her entire family were active members of Evening Star Baptist Church. Carol’s parents raised her and her siblings up in the admiration of the Lord, and when she became an adult, she continued her service to God and the church. She fellowshipped at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for 20+ years. In her later years, she became a member of Glad Tidings Apostolic Assembly where Bishop Benard Kendrick was her pastor.
She grew to love both Bishop Kendrick and his wife, Elect Lady Rena Kendrick for their leadership. Carol was united in holy matrimony to Dr. Roland Edward Wesley on March 22, 1958. Roland and Carol met on the bus and he diligently pursued her while she worked at the Five and Ten Cent store in Chicago. He made sure she paid attention to him during class at a local trade school. When she went to church, she would see him there. Carol often said that everywhere she would go he would show up. He would show up unannounced and made it his business to be wherever she was. When courting Carol, Roland was heard making statements like, “I do not know what it is about that girl I just got to catch her again”. Carol was a dedicated mother and grandmother. As a young wife and mother, she had to clean the whole house before she could leave home. Before she left to go out on any venture, she made sure her house and family were in order. She loved her family and deeply cared for her children and grandchildren. She never threw any of them away, no matter the obstacles they faced. She nurtured them and encouraged them to thrive and be successful. Carol knew how to make and keep long-time friendships. In her late teens early 20s, while living on the 3rd floor of the Ogden Court Projects, her and Roland met Lena (Doug)
Plaxico, Nearline (Elbert) Haynes, and Annie (Harry) Davis. They spent time as couples playing cards and enjoying each other’s company. Carol, Lena, Nearline, and Annie also known as the “Exotic Four” spent over 60+ years raising children, talking, and having various adventures together. For example, while living in the Ogden Court Project’s they cooked food, rented out a banquet hall, and held parties for community members. They had their very own social club. Over the years, Carol and Roland grew close to two other couples Beverly and William Garrett and Gwen and Fred Miller. They remained friends with the Garrett’s and Miller’s until their death, and the Wesley, Garrett, Miller children and grandchildren all consider themselves family.
Carol was a go getter. She liked to be active and kept busy. She did not let grass grow under her feet. She loved solving problems. She was concerned about society’s ills, especially when it came to the socioeconomic and social justice issues experienced by black people. Working as a mental health counselor, she frequently saw various racial and health disparities, and she strategized on steps that could be taken to address the various societal concerns. In her later years she still had “gold in her heels”. She was as intelligent and quick witted in her 80s as she was in her 20s. She and Roland were adventurous traveling nationally and internationally to places like China and Ghana, West Africa. She most enjoyed the time she spent in Ghana.
Carol worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Bellville, Illinois, special needs children facility in Chicago, Illinois, and retired from Madden Mental Health Center in Forest Park, Illinois. During every work experience she had, she cared for vulnerable people. She supported their mental and physical health. Outside of caring for others and spending time with family and friends, Carol’s favorite pass time included reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, and watching the news. She also enjoyed watching Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud and “who done it” shows like Perry Mason. Also, she enjoyed dancing and listening to Sam Cook and the Temptations.
Carol loved God, family, and friendship. She will be greatly missed, and her legacy will be cherished forever. She leaves behind three children, Carleton Wesley, Chicago, Illinois, Linda Wesley-Joseph, Chicago, Illinois, and Sharon Wesley, Miami, Florida. She also leaves one sister, Constelene (Robert) Dunn, Birmingham, Alabama, and three brothers Elbert (Helen) Washington Jr., Joliet, Illinois; Leonard (Juanita) Washington, Birmingham, Alabama; Robert Washington, Joliet, Illinois, and a host of friends, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and relatives including her inlaws, the Wesley family.
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Visitation - 10:00AM | Celebration of Life - 11AM Range Funeral Home 202 S. Eastern Avenue Joliet, IL 60433 Prayer Scripture Readings New & Old Testament Musical Selection GTAA Praise Singers Resolutions Sister Ira Rencher Life Reflections Read Silently Remarks Family and Friends (2 minutes please) Musical Selection GTAA Praise Singers Words of Comfort Elder Jack Smith Glad Tidings Apostolic Assembly Benediction Recessional
� e M r e b m e “Rem ne, To the living, I am go ill never return, w I l, fu ow rr so e th o T eated, To the angry, I was ch at peace, But to the happy, I am ve never left. And to the faithful, I ha can listen. I cannot speak, but I can be heard. I cannot be seen, but I shore gazing at a a on up d an st u yo as o S beautiful sea, er and admire its w flo a on up k loo u yo s A simplicity, Remember me. t: Remember me in your hear memories, Your thoughts, and your Of the times we loved, The times we cried, The times we fought, The times we laughed. , I will never me of k in th s ay w al u yo For if have gone. -Love Mama
“I ’m Free”
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, To love, to work or play. Tasks undone must stay that way I’ve found that peace at the close of the day. If parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savoured much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wants me now, He set me free.
Acknowledgement of Thanks
The Wesley family would like to extend gratitude to everyone for their prayers and all acts of kindness during Carol’s life and during this time of bereavement. May God Bless and keep each of you in his perfect peace.