WELLINGTON WILDER, JR., was born in Florence, South Carolina, on March 1, 1951. The only
child of Ola M. Robinson-Wilder and Wellington Wilder, Sr., Wellington was affectionally known
as "Junior." His nieces and nephews delighted in calling him "Uncle Junior!".

Going to church was a regular activity in the Wilder home. At an early age, Wellington was baptized at
Trinity Baptist Church of Florence. In 1979, he graduated from Southside High School. After graduating
high school, he enrolled in Benedict College, where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in
Math and Science. While at Benedict, Wellington was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

After graduating college, Wellington relocated to the Washington, DC, where he launched a career in education. Over the course of his career, Wellington served as a math teacher and school administrator for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), and as an adjunct professor at American University. Always eager to learn and pursue knowledge, Wellington enrolled in continuing education courses in educationadministration at the University of the District of Columbia and educational support professions at George Washington University.

Wellington loved the great hymns of the church and majestic choral compositions. After moving to the DMV, he joined Metropolitan Baptist Church, where he sang baritone in the Senior Choir. In 2012, he joined Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, DC. At Shiloh, he was a member of Haggai Circle, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Council, and was a lead baritone in the Senior Choir. Wellington also supported the Social Justice Ministry of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Following his retirement from DCPS, Wellington turned his focus to helping families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. He was perhaps the most well-known funeral attendant in the DMV! Wellington entertained countless friendships. He loved to travel and dine with friends. He was especially fond of peering into the lives of his friends, reading posts and updates, looking at photos and posting greetings on Facebook! Family relationships were important to Wellington. He embraced everyone as kinfolk if they hailed from South Carolina! Dubbed "the family historian," Wellington loved to share and compile family stories and often stressed the importance of family connectedness.

Wellington found purpose and meaning to his well-lived life in service to his students, bereaved families, and to the church of God. He will be deeply missed by the masses who loved him. Wellington is survived by his sister, Geraldine E. Green (Timmonsville, SC); nieces, Cathy Jackson (Florence, SC), Lisa (Kenneth) Jackson-Wright (Woodbridge, VA), Tonya (Ramon) Sarmiento (Santo Domingo, DR), Karen Jackson (Woodbridge, VA), Debora (Marvin) Cato (Effingham, SC), Tammy Nicole Jackson Moore Monroe (Florence, SC), Monica (Michael) Lloyd (Effingham, SC), Veronica (David) Jackson (Marietta, GA), Linda Frierson (Poughkeepsie, NY), Darlene Wells (Chesapeake, VA), Michelle Frierson (Bronx, NY); and nephews, Frankie (Kimberlyn) Jackson (Effingham, SC), Reggie Jackson (Florence, SC), Timothy Frierson (Los Angeles, CA), and Jeron Drawhorn (Bronx, NY). Others who mourn the life and memory of Wellington Wilder, Jr., include long-time friend, Loretta Bowers, a host of cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews, a cadre of friends, colleagues and students, and a loving church family.