James Smith “Chick” Wilson, Jr.
James Smith “Chick” Wilson, Jr., age 95, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020.
Chick Wilson was born to the late J.S. Wilson, Sr. and Ethel Persons Wilson. Chick loved the outdoors and was very active in Boy Scout Troop 57 with lots of outdoor camping. He played football, his greatest sports love, from 1940 to 1943, for the Monticello Hurricanes and graduated from the Monticello public school in the building now occupied by Thomas Persons Hall.
After graduating from high school he attended Georgia Tech for one quarter until being inducted in the U.S. Army in December of the same year, 1943, at age 18. He was discharged from the Army from Ft. Bragg, N.C., on April 26, 1946.
He attended the University of Georgia on the Veterans GI Bill and graduated with hundreds of fellow veterans in 1949. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration and was a member of the ATO Fraternity. An avid sports fan and a true-blue Bulldawg, he and his wife attended most all UGA home football games for some 60 plus years.
Upon returning to Monticello in 1949 at age 25, he traveled as a salesman for his father’s wholesale grocery firm. Chick met and married Mary Ellen Porter, the local Home Economics teacher, on Sept. 23, 1951 in Cochran.
In 1953 Chick purchased his grandfather’s farm (C. T. Wilson) and started a dairy operation along with working as a local freight agent with Benton Rapid Express. He joined Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company as Jasper County’s first insurance agent. In 1964 he opened J. S. Wilson Co. with the help of his wife, Mary Ellen, which they built into a successful local insurance and real estate agency and auction business.
During this time he was also active in organizing other personal businesses, including a hunting land lease company, a building supply company, a pecan processing business and a garden store.
Chick was active in civic endeavors including organizing and serving as president for most; the Piedmont Real Estate Board, the Monticello Businessmen’s Association, the Monticello Jaycees, Hunter Pope Country Club and Piedmont Academy, as well as the Hurricane Club and later the Cougar Club (he did the public address for Monticello High School football for 15 years and then for Piedmont Academy football for more than 10 more years).
He is an American Legion Post 110 member, a member of the Georgia Bulldog Club, the Masons and Shrine and also a 55 year Deacon in the Monticello Baptist Church and the oldest male church member.
Chick created the local Museum of Jasper Country Heritage and wrote two books, “Museum Notes” (Volumes I and II), on local history for the museum. He also wrote articles for The Monticello News.
He was very instrumental in the formation of Piedmont Academy in 1970 and a charter parent. He served as Board of Trustee Chairman for 10 years. He was proud to see the school advance from one original building on 12 acres in 1970 to the present eight beautiful buildings on 25 acres.
Chick loved people and has many friends in the community and also statewide. He loved and enjoyed his family and their annual family Thanksgiving celebration at the Farm House and the Christmas celebration at the Wilson home, all usually attended by 20 or more of the scattered family.
He loved his wife, his Lord, his church, his family, his country and his flag. He was proud that he never worked for a salary (excluding the Army time) and he always said “Hard work never hurt anybody and success is a direct result of good hard work and vision.”
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary Ellen Wilson of Monticello; daughters, Beth Wilson of Raleigh, N.C.; Julie (John) McLeod of Athens; Connie Wilson (Mike Friedline) of Athens; son, Carl (Dawn) Wilson of Statham; daughter-in-law, Missy C. Wilson Braden (John Braden) of Covington; grandchildren, Emma Laurie McLeod, Porter McLeod, Mary Leah Friedline (Philip Cherny), Maggie Friedline, Nicole Wilson, Trevor Wilson, Camille Wilson, Alyssa Wilson and Elizabeth Wilson.
His son, Jim Wilson (James Smith Wilson, III), preceded him in death.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the caregivers, Tomasia Ammons, Elaine Jackson, Faye Smith, Joann Kelly, Terrika Grier, Rubytine Stone and Stacy Whitlock for their love, help and support.
A graveside service will be held Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at 1 p.m. at West View Cemetery. Rev. David Artessa, Wes Tanner and Dr. Bob Whitmire will officiate.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Lynch, Tommy Jordan, Dicky Thomson, Gregg Atkinson, Maurice Jackson, Billy Ozburn, Paul Speiks, Billy Nalls, Johnny Smith and Malone Cunard. Honorary pallbearers will be the Monticello Baptist Church Adult 5 Sunday School Class.
A drive-through visitation will be held Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, from 3:30 until 5 p.m. at Monticello Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Monticello Baptist Church Building Fund, Piedmont Academy or your favorite charity.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.