James Joseph Harding Wilson

October 19, 1949 – August 16, 2022

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

James Joseph Harding Wilson was born on October 19, 1949, in Caroline County, Virginia, and left this life on earth to be with his Lord on August 16, 2022.  He was predeceased by his parents Joseph Harding Wilson and Betty Mae Buckner Wilson, sisters, Julia "Etta" Walden and Delores Wilson and brother, Floyd Wilson.

James' early schooling included schools in the Caroline County School System.  After graduating from Union High School, he made the decision to relocate to Roosevelt, New York. While in Roosevelt, James joined the Nassau County security team and worked at the Nassau County Community College. In 1979, he returned to Virginia and worked as an employee of the Stafford County and Fredericksburg City Public School Systems and ended his career serving as a Quality Control Specialist with Carlisle Motion Control in Fredericksburg until his retirement.  James was also a proud brother of Doric Lodge No. 3 in Hempstead, New York.

James loved the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul and devoted a lot of time in his room to studying God's word. At an early age, he joined and was baptized at the Third Mount Zion Baptist Church in Woodford, Virginia.  He later joined the Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Roosevelt, New York where he actively participated and served as a faithful member. James' extraordinary ability to sing was immediately recognized by the members of Mount Sinai, and he was asked to serve as a leader in the church's music ministry. It was also here that James joined his first gospel quartet group, the Revelations.   In 2014, he was honored and presented with the Mount Sinai Living Legend Award. Upon returning to Virginia, James reconnected with Third Mount Zion and actively served as a leader in the music ministry and the church treasurer – a position he held for nearly thirty years. James was extremely proud of his church and encouraged family, friends, and strangers to come down to Third Mount Zion to be blessed, delivered, transformed, and loved.

James was blessed and anointed with a natural singing gift. At a young age, he was motivated to pursue his singing career while attending Third Mount Zion and Caroline County Schools.  Many declared his voice was instantly recognizable and characteristically booming with power and authority. With an amazing singing style derived from Southern Baptist churches, he allowed the Lord to mightily use him to spread His Word through song. As the front man for numerous quartet groups and choirs, he inspired, blessed, and changed the lives of many.

James was a powerful singer, recording artist and song writer who loved to share the gift God gave him with everyone he met.  Influenced by groups like the Sensational Nightingales, Gospel Keynotes, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy, he developed a great love for gospel quartet music.  Upon his return to Virginia, he joined the Saints of God gospel group. James and the Saints of God recorded and released Getting Ready to Meet Jesus in the 1990s .  James was blessed to write several original songs on this album.  After this group disbanded, he would later sing with several quartet groups, singing all over the state of Virginia and the entire East Coast. He was also featured on Faithful Connection's song entitled "Come Too Far".  This song reached number 12 on the Glory Land top 20 gospel quartet CDs. James was blessed to share the stage with many Gospel greats including Harvey Watkins, Donnie McClurkin, Joe Ligon and Dorothy Norwood.

James had a strong love and commitment for family.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  His incredible gift left a lasting impression on every person that was blessed to cross his path – James' life was an amazing blessing from God and one that we will forever treasure.

James is survived by his wife, Gloria Wilson; three children, James S. Wilson (Robyn), Joseph E. Coakley (Susan), and Sonya Coakley Baker (Antonio) all of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two granddaughters, Sierra Olivia Wilson of New Orleans, Louisiana and Jordan Kylee Baker of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one grandson, Elijah Sentell Wilson of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one great grandson, Zakai Enzo Taplet of New Orleans, Louisiana; five sisters, Josephine Williams of Roosevelt, New York, Gladys Smith of Spotsylvania, Virginia; Virginia Jones of Freeport, New York; Vivian Latney of Ruther Glen, Virginia and Lisa Latney of Richmond, Virginia and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Concert will be held at Third Mount Zion Baptist Church, 9132 Fredericksburg Turnpike, Woodford, VA, on Friday, August 26, 2022, at 7:00 PM.  A viewing will be held at Third Mount Zion Baptist Church, on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 12:00 PM followed by a Homegoing Service at 1:00 PM. The interment will follow at Third Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.