The Bulletin Board: Local funeral director celebrates 99th birthday

A Happy 99th Birthday Celebration was held for Ms. Eunice Idella Wilson “Boss Lady”, Licensed Funeral Director and owner of Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary, Inc. of Sanford, on Sunday evening, June 26, 2016, 6 p.m., at the Bettye D. Smith Cultural Arts Center in downtown Sanford, sponsored by her staff.  
Family, friends and staff gathered to share in the celebration. The venue was decorated with the colors of choice, purple, white and silver. Staff Member Rev. Leonard L.J. Wilson presided. The Honoree was escorted into the banquet room by Tommy L. Hayes, III, President of the Florida Morticians Association and William R. Smith, Jr., Funeral Director in Charge.
Staff Member Rev. Jimmie L. Blake gave the Invocation and Staff member Lynne Deese-Harvey sang “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”; Pastor Otis C. Raines read the Scripture, Psalm 34:1-4. Mr. Smith gave the Occasion. He spoke fondly of Ms. Wilson and how he has learned so much from her in the time that he has been Funeral Director in Charge at her firm and how much he appreciates her. He says “She operates in a spirit of excellence at all times and gives the utmost for every family she serves.”  
The Staff Tribute followed with each staff member presenting Ms. Wilson with a rose and their personal birthday greeting.  Mrs. Carol Smith sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow”.   
Everyone joined in a time of fellowship, refreshments, cutting of the birthday cake, and the singing of “Happy Birthday” (Stevie Wonder style). Staff Member Lee J. Richardson, Coordinator of the Birthday Celebration, presented a slide show of pictures which brought back a lot of memories in the life of the Honoree.  
Staff member Mary L. DeBose sang “If I Can Help Somebody”. She described Ms. Wilson as a very giving and caring person and the lyrics of the song remind her so much of Ms. Wilson, i.e., “If I can help somebody as I pass along; if I can cheer somebody with a word or a song; if I can show somebody they are traveling wrong, then my living shall not be in vain.”  Keynote speaker Rev. Leonard L.J. Wilson spoke from Psalm 90, “Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations … The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength, labour and sorrow; … So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”.  
Commenting on her 60+ years of professional, dedicated service, he referenced Galations 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”; and Psalm 37:25, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken ...”
Family members, friends and staff gave personal stories and reflections and showered the Honoree with Happy Birthday wishes, gifts and other expressions of love. Her brother, James “Button” Wilson gave the Special Family Tribute of thanks and appreciation for all that she has done for their family.
Mr. Hayes presented Ms. Wilson with an award that was recently bestowed upon her by the Florida Morticians Association, commending her on 60+ years in the funeral service business.  He described Ms. Wilson as a hard worker, a woman of honor and dignity and well respected by her peers locally, statewide and nationally.  She is a trailblazer and a pioneer who set the standard world-wide and an inspiration to him.  “She put Sanford on the map in the funeral service business.”  She serves her community and mankind with honesty, integrity, compassion and respect. She is a Christian woman, a dedicated community servant and humanitarian.
The walls in Ms. Wilson’s office and throughout her facility speak to the many awards she has received throughout the years for community service and for service to her profession on the local, state and national levels by way of the National, Regional, State and Local Funeral Directors and Morticians Associations; and the Mortuary Fraternity, i.e., being named Mortician of the Year on numerous occasions.  
She was named one of the Top 100 Black Women in Funeral Service and received the “Courage Award”. For more than 15 years, she sponsored a group of Gospel singers, “The Wilson Ensemble”. The City of Sanford named Bentley-Wilson Park on Orange Ave. in Sanford in honor of Ms. Wilson and the late Mrs. Altermease S. Bentley.  
Ms. Wilson thanked everyone for sharing her birthday celebration with her. She spoke fondly of her family, friends and staff.  She says her success in business and life is because of her love for God and mankind; “Put God first; love everybody; have faith; and believe.”  Rev. Wilson gave the closing remarks and the Benediction.  What a great birthday celebration it was for “Boss Lady” – celebrating 99 years of life, love and God’s blessings.

• The 16th Year Pastoral Appreciation Services for Pastor Otis C. Raines of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 1701 S. Bell Avenue in Sanford, are as follows:  
• Sun., July 10 at 4 p.m., with Pastor Herbert McGraw and Macedonia M.B. Church, Oakhill, FL.                
• Sun., July 17 at 3:30 p.m., with Pastor Lorenzo Lane and New Salem M.B. Church, Maitland; and Pastor Raymond Brinson and Springfield M.B. Church, Sanford   
• Sun., July 24 at 3 p.m., with Pastor Matthew Jackson and Clearwater M.B. Church, Sanford.   
• Sunday, July 31 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Marvin Davis and Moore’s Temple, Sanford; and at 3:30 p.m., with Pastor Gregory Gibbs and Macedonia M.B. Church, Orlando.
Restoration of Rights and Voter Registration Workshop, Sat., July 16, 2016, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Westside Community Center, 919 S. Persimmon Ave., Sanford, hosted by Desmond Meade.  Topics will include: sealing and expunging arrest records; how to get your voting/civil rights restored; the ins and outs of getting a full pardon; how you can make a difference in the lives of those who have made mistakes in life and have served their time.
Mike Ertel, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections will make a presentation.  Partnering to present this special Redemption/Restoration Workshop are: Sanford Initiative, Inc.; Westside Mentoring; Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church; New Central Florida Missionary Baptist Association; and Kemuel Financial Services.  Special Guest Desmond Meade will be there to answer questions about restoration of rights, sealed and expunged records and pardons.  He will also help with the application process and next steps. Meade, following Army dismissal, felony conviction and homelessness, through hard work and community service is now President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition; he holds a Juris Doctor (J.D./Doctor of Law) Degree from Florida International University College of Law.

• SFC Bruce Melton, Sanford native celebrates retirement from the Army after 26 years
 (Previously reported as Sanford native celebrates retirement from Navy after 26 years)

• Save the date and plan to attend.  Crystal Vision Productions Presents an inspirational stage play, “I Got a Man”, Sat., August 20, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center; 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in Sanford.   Advance tickets: $30; at the door: $35.  (doors open at 7 p.m.) Learn more about the stage play at CrystalVisionPro.com; WDPAC.com; and facebook.com/CrystalVisionProductions.  Questions call Crystal Wilcox at 954-643-1607 or 407-321-8111.

- Sheralyn Brinson, The Bulletin Board, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com