Melda JoeNell (Allen) Wilson, departed this life in the early morning hours of Thursday, September 3, 2020 at her home surrounded by three generations of family.
Melda was the last remaining child of T.S. and Louellen (Gordon) Allen. She was born on May 6, 1926 and raised in Westminster, South Carolina along with her eight siblings M.C. Allen, MaryLou (Allen) Hoover, Thomas S. Allen, Jr., Willie B. Allen, Frankye (Allen) Bridges, Annie Ruth (Allen) Staton, Elizabeth (Allen) Jarrett and Eliza (Allen) Grant.
In the mid-50s, Melda relocated to New Jersey with her family and after living in Princeton for a few years, the Wilson Family settled in Trenton and bought their home on Oakland Street. In time, four of the six Allen sisters were living on Oakland Street just a few doors away from each other.
Melda, known for her exceptional culinary skills worked for over 30 years in private homes before retirement. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for many years, the Oakland Street Civic Association, The 20th Century Arts and Literacy Club and modeled for their annual Luncheon featuring Bessie Massey and was the recipient of Award of Excellence for Club and Communities activities from the West Central District #1 of the NJ State Federation of Colored Women Clubs.
Predeceased by her husband Willie Robert Wilson, Melda leaves to forever cherish her memory three daughters, Linda Alston, Carol Drummond and Sandra Gibson; four grandchildren, Wenona Alston Dailey (Christopher), Jessica Alston Hill (Frederick), Jason Alston and Chet Gibson (Jean); nine great-grandchildren Jordan Alston, Makenna, Olivia and Gavin Dailey; Kyla, Evan and Aaron Hill and Iyanna and Skye Gibson, two nieces and two nephews, Cordelia Staton, Melda Grant and Jim and Adrian Bridges, Sr., a bonus “son” Waheeb Sabree and a host of loving relatives, friends and neighbors.
 Private services will be 10 – 10:30am Saturday, September 12, 2020 at the Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Ave, Trenton, NJ, 08618. Calling hours will be at 9am until the time of service. Interment will be at Princeton Memorial Park, Princeton, NJ.
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