Biography: Mary F. Wilson was one of eleven siblings and she was raised in a loving family environment in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Her family instilled in Mary a strong desire to make a positive contribution to her community. In pursuit of this value Mary graduated from Claflin University with a degree in education. Despite coming from modest means, Willis Nathaniel Fridie, father of the Fridie family, provided for all of his children to attend college in order to enable them to compete in society.
 
During her successful and recognized career as an English teacher in Jacksonville, Florida, Mary also was a pillar of support in the Fridie family. For many years Mary played a large role of financial and spiritual support to her siblings, as well as providing a safe, productive, loving home for both Nathaniel and David Fridie. Mary had one offspring, Jo Ann K. May born on March 21, 1944. While balancing her family life and professional career during an era of inequities for minorities and even more so for women of color. She always exceeded expectations both professionally and in her personal life. During years of maintaining her career in education she provided a home environment that encouraged her daughter to not only attend but to graduate from Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee, with a degree in Psychology.
 
After retiring from a career in education, Mary remained active in family life, providing support to the Fridie family, as well as, the May family. Her constant love, spiritual guidance, and maternal experience was a major influence in the upbringing of her beloved grandson James K. May. She will always be remembered for her positive influence on so many people; students in her class, family members, and anyone she met. Her reputation was that anyone who came to her would never leave empty handed because she would share money and spiritual love freely to anyone. Her greatness was her desire to help others even when they did not or could not see that they needed help.
 
I will always remember Mary F. Wilson as my grandmother, my friend, but also as my personal "Steel Magnolia". So in her immortal words as she parted from someone in her gentle Floridian accent---   "Bye For Now"

Rest Forever in Peace