Lydia Wilson

July 9, 1955 - June 30, 2018

Lydia Ann Wilson, 62 “Liddy Bee” the only child of Fontaine R and Ellen Shaffer Wilson who preceded her in death, was her maternal grandparents Albert and (Gertrude Beard) Shaffer. Paternal grandparents Luther Wilson Sr (Harriett Brown) Wilson, Aunts Frances Evelyn Watson (Wilson) Mary Shaffer and Uncles Luther Wilson Jr, Leon Shaffer, and Joseph Shaffer, and cousin Roxy Shaffer. Left to cherish her memories are very close cousin Kathy Wilson and family of Knoxville TN, Mrs. Bernadine Scott and family, Mrs. Virginia Goines and family and Carolyn Wilson and Mickey Bridwell and her beloved cat Whisper, and many fellow artist in the community who will miss her. Lydia attended St. Paul AME Zion, where she was on the Jr Usher board, Sunday school teacher, and was in charge of the Black History Program there. She was a 1973 graduate of SHHS where she was a member of the band, TOEC club, and Pro-To- Etts. Education was very important to her, Lydia was a 1978 graduate of TSU of Nashville, TN where she was a Biology major and a proud member of AKA Sorority. Ms. Wilson also attended ETSU majoring in Mass communication. Lydia did her first of many shows in 1990 and was featured in local and area newspapers, craft books. She was mentioned in National publications. Lydia taught classes at Girls INC,Coalation for kids, Kingsport and Johnson City, Virginia Art counsel. Her work was displayed at Nelson Fine Art center Virginia Highland art festival, Jonesborough visitor center and many other galleries. She also attended craft shows in and around the area and at the William King museum and Artopia. Many crafters knew Lydia and her work and love her and the stories she told through her work. She had also appeared on HGTV for her old world Santa Clauses. Ms. Wilson was a very exceptional talented artist and she credited her mother Ellen Wilson and her aunt Rachel Hawkins for her artist abilities. She was unique and one of a kind and will be missed dearly by all. A Memorial service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday August 25, 2018 at the Reece Museum on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN.