Melissa Jane Looper Wilson, 77, of Greenville, SC, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
A devoted wife of Michael M. Wilson for more than 53 years as well as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, in-law, aunt, and cousin to many family members.
Daughter of the late Eslie Clyde Looper and Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper.
Grew up with her parents and aunt in the home her grandparents bought in 1910. She always had a respect for her heritage and preserved as much history from the Civil War era homestead as she could. Along with her sister and mother, she always welcomed family and friends with a love for an interest in the farm and house.
She lived by the values of the Baptist faith of her ancestors. She attended Cross Roads Baptist Church in the Maynard/Dacusville community of Pickens County for 21 years before joining First Baptist in Greenville as a college student. She later spent 18 years as a member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, where she was active in the children’s department. She also attended First Presbyterian when a resident of Spartanburg.
A graduate of Easley High School (’60), where she received several honors for her scholastic achievements and friendliness and participation among her peers. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Furman University in 1964. She was listed in Who’s Who and Senior Order and served as President of Women’s House Council. She worked as Chairman of the switchboard her senior year and won the title of Miss Bonhomie as a representative of the senior class in the yearbook beauty contest.
Jane was a committed educator. She taught English and Journalism at Greenville Senior High School for four years upon college graduation; she taught English at Briarcliff High and adult on-the-job training classes at local industries as part of the DeKalb County School System while living in Atlanta, and taught Journalism at Wade Hampton High School over a three-year period. When she was not working full-time, she also substituted. Later in her career, Jane also developed a deep interest in quality child care and earned her certificate in Early Childhood Education in 1989 from Greenville Technical College. Separately, Jane was the co-owner of Storehouse Furniture in Greenville for 10 years.
She and Mike raised their two sons, Shank and Drew, in Greenville, SC, but spent their later years between Greenville and Florida. Jane retired in 2001 and moved with Mike after his retirement in 2004 to Punta Gorda, FL. There, they experienced boating and life on the waterfront under the sunshine for 13 years.
During that span, Jane also traveled back and forth for over five years, staying in Greenville for long periods to help her sister take care of their mother, Melissa Looper, who lived at Magnolia's Assisted Living from age 97 to 103. Family was always top of Jane’s list and she handled life as her mother did, quietly maintaining her faith and trying to handle “whatever came her way”.
Survivors include her husband, Michael M. Wilson; sons, Michael Shanklin Wilson and Andrew Burdine Wilson (Brandi); grandsons Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson; sister, Judy L. Harrison; and niece, Melissa Harrison Brillhart (Jacob) and their daughter, Simms Brillhart; and numerous Williams and Looper cousins for four generations.
Predeceased by her parents and numerous relatives.
The anchor of her family, Jane always expressed a deep love for and interest in others, always giving of herself and sharing her warm heart and generous spirit.
Jane requested a private family interment. A private family service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, SC.
Memorials could be made to Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Dec. 29, 2020
A devoted wife of Michael M. Wilson for more than 53 years as well as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, in-law, aunt, and cousin to many family members.
Daughter of the late Eslie Clyde Looper and Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper.
Grew up with her parents and aunt in the home her grandparents bought in 1910. She always had a respect for her heritage and preserved as much history from the Civil War era homestead as she could. Along with her sister and mother, she always welcomed family and friends with a love for an interest in the farm and house.
She lived by the values of the Baptist faith of her ancestors. She attended Cross Roads Baptist Church in the Maynard/Dacusville community of Pickens County for 21 years before joining First Baptist in Greenville as a college student. She later spent 18 years as a member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, where she was active in the children’s department. She also attended First Presbyterian when a resident of Spartanburg.
A graduate of Easley High School (’60), where she received several honors for her scholastic achievements and friendliness and participation among her peers. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Furman University in 1964. She was listed in Who’s Who and Senior Order and served as President of Women’s House Council. She worked as Chairman of the switchboard her senior year and won the title of Miss Bonhomie as a representative of the senior class in the yearbook beauty contest.
Jane was a committed educator. She taught English and Journalism at Greenville Senior High School for four years upon college graduation; she taught English at Briarcliff High and adult on-the-job training classes at local industries as part of the DeKalb County School System while living in Atlanta, and taught Journalism at Wade Hampton High School over a three-year period. When she was not working full-time, she also substituted. Later in her career, Jane also developed a deep interest in quality child care and earned her certificate in Early Childhood Education in 1989 from Greenville Technical College. Separately, Jane was the co-owner of Storehouse Furniture in Greenville for 10 years.
She and Mike raised their two sons, Shank and Drew, in Greenville, SC, but spent their later years between Greenville and Florida. Jane retired in 2001 and moved with Mike after his retirement in 2004 to Punta Gorda, FL. There, they experienced boating and life on the waterfront under the sunshine for 13 years.
During that span, Jane also traveled back and forth for over five years, staying in Greenville for long periods to help her sister take care of their mother, Melissa Looper, who lived at Magnolia's Assisted Living from age 97 to 103. Family was always top of Jane’s list and she handled life as her mother did, quietly maintaining her faith and trying to handle “whatever came her way”.
Survivors include her husband, Michael M. Wilson; sons, Michael Shanklin Wilson and Andrew Burdine Wilson (Brandi); grandsons Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson; sister, Judy L. Harrison; and niece, Melissa Harrison Brillhart (Jacob) and their daughter, Simms Brillhart; and numerous Williams and Looper cousins for four generations.
Predeceased by her parents and numerous relatives.
The anchor of her family, Jane always expressed a deep love for and interest in others, always giving of herself and sharing her warm heart and generous spirit.
Jane requested a private family interment. A private family service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, SC.
Memorials could be made to Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Dec. 29, 2020
Melissa Jane Looper Wilson, 77, of Greenville, SC, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
A devoted wife of Michael M. Wilson for more than 53 years as well as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, in-law, aunt, and cousin to many family members.
Daughter of the late Eslie Clyde Looper and Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper.
Grew up with her parents and aunt in the home her grandparents bought in 1910. She always had a respect for her heritage and preserved as much history from the Civil War era homestead as she could. Along with her sister and mother, she always welcomed family and friends with a love for an interest in the farm and house.
She lived by the values of the Baptist faith of her ancestors. She attended Cross Roads Baptist Church in the Maynard/Dacusville community of Pickens County for 21 years before joining First Baptist in Greenville as a college student. She later spent 18 years as a member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, where she was active in the children’s department. She also attended First Presbyterian when a resident of Spartanburg.
A graduate of Easley High School (’60), where she received several honors for her scholastic achievements and friendliness and participation among her peers. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Furman University in 1964. She was listed in Who’s Who and Senior Order and served as President of Women’s House Council. She worked as Chairman of the switchboard her senior year and won the title of Miss Bonhomie as a representative of the senior class in the yearbook beauty contest.
Jane was a committed educator. She taught English and Journalism at Greenville Senior High School for four years upon college graduation; she taught English at Briarcliff High and adult on-the-job training classes at local industries as part of the DeKalb County School System while living in Atlanta, and taught Journalism at Wade Hampton High School over a three-year period. When she was not working full-time, she also substituted. Later in her career, Jane also developed a deep interest in quality child care and earned her certificate in Early Childhood Education in 1989 from Greenville Technical College. Separately, Jane was the co-owner of Storehouse Furniture in Greenville for 10 years.
She and Mike raised their two sons, Shank and Drew, in Greenville, SC, but spent their later years between Greenville and Florida. Jane retired in 2001 and moved with Mike after his retirement in 2004 to Punta Gorda, FL. There, they experienced boating and life on the waterfront under the sunshine for 13 years.
During that span, Jane also traveled back and forth for over five years, staying in Greenville for long periods to help her sister take care of their mother, Melissa Looper, who lived at Magnolia's Assisted Living from age 97 to 103. Family was always top of Jane’s list and she handled life as her mother did, quietly maintaining her faith and trying to handle “whatever came her way”.
Survivors include her husband, Michael M. Wilson; sons, Michael Shanklin Wilson and Andrew Burdine Wilson (Brandi); grandsons Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson; sister, Judy L. Harrison; and niece, Melissa Harrison Brillhart (Jacob) and their daughter, Simms Brillhart; and numerous Williams and Looper cousins for four generations.
Predeceased by her parents and numerous relatives.
The anchor of her family, Jane always expressed a deep love for and interest in others, always giving of herself and sharing her warm heart and generous spirit.
Jane requested a private family interment. A private family service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, SC.
Memorials could be made to Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Dec. 29, 2020
A devoted wife of Michael M. Wilson for more than 53 years as well as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, in-law, aunt, and cousin to many family members.
Daughter of the late Eslie Clyde Looper and Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper.
Grew up with her parents and aunt in the home her grandparents bought in 1910. She always had a respect for her heritage and preserved as much history from the Civil War era homestead as she could. Along with her sister and mother, she always welcomed family and friends with a love for an interest in the farm and house.
She lived by the values of the Baptist faith of her ancestors. She attended Cross Roads Baptist Church in the Maynard/Dacusville community of Pickens County for 21 years before joining First Baptist in Greenville as a college student. She later spent 18 years as a member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, where she was active in the children’s department. She also attended First Presbyterian when a resident of Spartanburg.
A graduate of Easley High School (’60), where she received several honors for her scholastic achievements and friendliness and participation among her peers. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Furman University in 1964. She was listed in Who’s Who and Senior Order and served as President of Women’s House Council. She worked as Chairman of the switchboard her senior year and won the title of Miss Bonhomie as a representative of the senior class in the yearbook beauty contest.
Jane was a committed educator. She taught English and Journalism at Greenville Senior High School for four years upon college graduation; she taught English at Briarcliff High and adult on-the-job training classes at local industries as part of the DeKalb County School System while living in Atlanta, and taught Journalism at Wade Hampton High School over a three-year period. When she was not working full-time, she also substituted. Later in her career, Jane also developed a deep interest in quality child care and earned her certificate in Early Childhood Education in 1989 from Greenville Technical College. Separately, Jane was the co-owner of Storehouse Furniture in Greenville for 10 years.
She and Mike raised their two sons, Shank and Drew, in Greenville, SC, but spent their later years between Greenville and Florida. Jane retired in 2001 and moved with Mike after his retirement in 2004 to Punta Gorda, FL. There, they experienced boating and life on the waterfront under the sunshine for 13 years.
During that span, Jane also traveled back and forth for over five years, staying in Greenville for long periods to help her sister take care of their mother, Melissa Looper, who lived at Magnolia's Assisted Living from age 97 to 103. Family was always top of Jane’s list and she handled life as her mother did, quietly maintaining her faith and trying to handle “whatever came her way”.
Survivors include her husband, Michael M. Wilson; sons, Michael Shanklin Wilson and Andrew Burdine Wilson (Brandi); grandsons Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson; sister, Judy L. Harrison; and niece, Melissa Harrison Brillhart (Jacob) and their daughter, Simms Brillhart; and numerous Williams and Looper cousins for four generations.
Predeceased by her parents and numerous relatives.
The anchor of her family, Jane always expressed a deep love for and interest in others, always giving of herself and sharing her warm heart and generous spirit.
Jane requested a private family interment. A private family service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, SC.
Memorials could be made to Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Dec. 29, 2020
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