Inc. 1967
Avel Estelle Wilcox, 96, of Monongahela, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 1, 2015. Born Jan. 22, 1919, in Naruna, Va., she was the daughter of the late Charles Walker Wade and Lottie Bell Hubbard-Wade. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Wilcox; daughters, Lois Wilcox-Sloan-Lyons, Jacqueline Wilcox-Cundiff and Georgetta Wilcox-Swanson; sisters, Georgia Peterson, Dorlena Stone and Norma Carter; brother, James O. Wade Sr. and stepmother, Viola Crumby Wade; and many grandchildren. A resident of Monessen for many years, she attended the Monessen Public Schools. She was united in marriage to the late Walter Wilcox and they were blessed with three beautiful daughters. A committed servant of Christ, wife, mother and grandmother, she was well-known as a hair stylist, cook and baker. She was employed at Corning Glass for 17 years and retired in February 1981. Mother Wilcox was a member of Free Indeed Ministry, Monongahela under the leadership of her pastor and grandson, Rev. Frank Sloan Jr. while serving as the Mother of the church. She was a former member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and she was a faithful former member of the Whole Truth Church of God In Christ in Donora for many years under the leadership of Elder Maurice B. Wade Sr. Serving the Lord was her life. She loved studying and sharing the Word of God. She loved the Lord with all her heart and joyfully served as a church mother, assistant leader of the Women’s Department, Prayer Patrol, Missionary Circle, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher, Pastor’s Aide and the Good Samaritans and was always found doing whatever her hands could do to support and help others. She touched and impacted the lives of all who knew her and was affectionately called “Nana”, “Mother Wilcox” and “Aunt Avel.” Mother Wilcox was highly blessed and favored of God and her legacy extends six generations and beyond. She leaves to cherish her memory, a brother, Elder Maurice B. (Mildred) Wade, Sr. of Monongahela and two sisters, Eleanor Johnson of Warren, Ohio, and Joretta Lyons of Long Island, N.Y.; grandchildren, Rhonda (Percy) Ballard of Pittsburgh, Francine Williams of South Park, Denise (Terrence) Jones of Palm Harbor, Fla., Rev. Frank (Dena) Sloan Jr. of Monongahela, Craig (Sandra) Sloan Sr. of Garfield Heights, Ohio, Bradley Sloan Sr. of Monroeville, Carmen Davis of Monessen, LaMont (Rachel) Lyons Sr. of Canonsburg, Edward (Patricia) Lyons of Newark, N.J., Raymond Cundiff Jr. of Pittsburgh, Jacelyn Swanson of Culver City, Calif., Leon Swanson II of Greensboro, N.C. and Gina (Kevin) Hayes of Gainesville, Va.; nieces, nephews; 31 great-grandchildren; 37 great-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren: many others “adopted” her as their mother and friends. Family and friends will be received on Friday, March 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Free Indeed Ministries 401 Second St., Monongahela. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 at the church with Rev. Frank Sloan Jr. officiating. Interment will take place at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC., 608 Sixth St., Monessen, Pa. 15062, 724-684-6242, www.draperfh.com
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