Mrs. Leola Wideman

Mrs. Leola Ardister Wideman, was born October 1, 1932, the youngest child born to the union of the late Ben Will & Mattie Ardister. Leola’s mother passed away when she was four (4) years old. Her family moved from Lincolnton, GA to McCormick, South Carolina where she grew up. Deaconess Leola attended Blue Branch Elementary School and graduated from Mims High School, in McCormick. She married her high school sweetheart, Elbert, in 1954. This union produced 7 children who were always the joy of her heart. Deaconess Leola loved her children and grandchildren deeply. One son, Stanley Eugene, preceded her in death, in 1982. Two grandchildren, Jalen Michael and Angel Lorraine. Always caring for others, Deaconess Leola worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. When her husband became ill, she left her job to care for him until his demise, in 2006. Deaconess Leola’s journey with the Lord began as a little girl. She always wanted to be a Christian. Once she gave her life to the Lord, her life’s passion was to serve Him with her whole heart and to share the Good News with others. Her membership at Bethel AME Church allowed her to worship God in several different organizations. She served as a Class Leader and on the Evangelism Ministry Team, sang in the Senior Choir, and was elevated to the Deaconess Board under the pastorate of Reverend Rosalind K. Shorter Henderson. She faithfully attended weekly Sunday School and Bible study. Her love for God’s Word led her to attend classes at Moody Bible Institute and the Chicago School of Ministry. Celebrating her life and carrying forward the legacy torch of faith and family are her children, Billy Ray (Peggy), Brenda (John) Phillips, Michael (Susan), Rex (Corrina), Glenn (Elvira), and Sherese (Rodney) Nubin; her grandchildren Gregory (Tamara). John (Kelly), Keiryn (Gbenga), Christopher, Ayesha, Rawson, Tyler, Jordan, Trey, and Ericka; great-grandchildren: Carter, Jazlyn, Kayla, Aliyah, Seyi, Shola, and Segun. Half-sisters Eleanor Sudduth of Beach Park, IL, Barbara Gray, of Racine, WI, Virginia Watson, of Buffalo, New York, Shirley Drake, of Buffalo, New York. A special nephew Ben (Joanie) Ardister, of Anderson, SC and many, many loving nephews, nieces, and relatives.

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