Fred Ellis Wilson, age 92, a resident of Mobile, Alabama passed away after a short illness at SpringHill Medical Center on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Fred was born on June 16, 1933 in Epps, Louisiana. He was the youngest of 10 children born to William Wilson and Mary Townsend Wilson. He is a graduate of Epps High School and continued his education at Louisiana State University. He graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Arts and also from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology. He married his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Beasley Wilson. Fred and Evelyn had 6 children. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be missed by all. Fred accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior when he was 12 years old. He felt God's call on his life to serve Him and proclaim the Gospel when he was 22 years old. He was Ordained into the Ministry at Victoria Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October 1955, where he was serving as the Minister of Music .
He served as Pastor in churches in Louisiana and Alabama:
Red Bluff Baptist Church, Greensburg, Louisiana (1955-56);
Willow Bayou Baptist Church, Tallulah, Louisiana (1956 - 58);
New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, Louisiana (1958 - 1964);
Riverview Baptist Church, Buras, Louisiana (1964 - 1968)
First Baptist Church, Irvington, Alabama (1968 - 1975);
Southside Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama (1975 - 1990)
Airport Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama (1990 - 2001)
RETIRED 12-31-2001
In retirement, he continued to serve churches as a long term Interim pastor (Cypress Shores Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Bayou la Batre) and also filled in for other pastors on numerous occasions. He was active in the Baptist Associations at all of the churches he served. His compassionate and cooperative spirit led to him being entrusted with numerous places of denominational service and responsibility. He served as the Moderator for two terms in the Montgomery Baptist Association, Montgomery, AL and two terms as the Moderator in the Mobile Baptist Association. He also served as President of the Mobile Ministers Conference. While he was in Montgomery, he served on the Board of Directors for the Baptist Health Services of Baptist Medical Center. He also served on various committees in the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Music was always an important part of his life. He began his life in ministry as a Minister of Music. He instilled this love of music in his family. He always had a song in his heart and will be remembered not only as a kind, compassionate pastor, but also for his beautiful singing voice. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Mary Wilson, and daughter, Lauren Louise Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Wilson; his son, Bruce Wilson (Julia); his daughters, Dinah Lincecum (Philip), Sharon Hannie, Vicky McClure (Terry), and Beverly Fain (Ronnie). Grandchildren, Bryan Wilson (Kelleri), Sarah Bailey (Josh), Jordan Douglass (Andy), Jared Lincecum (Angela), Heather Mattern (Keith), Michael Hannie (Breagh), and Bethany Hallett (Steve), Misty McClure, Paul McClure, Thad McClure, Josh Fain, Jason Fain (Erinn), Jeremy Fain (Hannah) and 26 great-grandchildren.
June 16, 1933 — August 9, 2025
Fred Wilson's Celebration of Life service will be Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Irvington,Alabama. Visitation is from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Service at 1:00 with graveside service following at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Mobile, AL.
He was the most humble man that I have ever known. A comforter of all. And a very compassionate person. And when he sang ( with Mrs. Evelyn playing the organ ) the Lord’s Prayer you got chills. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
If you look up the word, "Pastor," in the dictionary there should be a picture of Fred Wilson. He preached what he lived! This world is a better place because of this amazing man of God. I am grateful to have been his friend.