Obituary of Jean Stephena Welch Wilson

Jean Stephena Welch began her journey on April 18,1943 under the direction of Anne Stanback Welch and Wilson Q. Welch, Jr. in Salisbury, NC. Her formative years were spent on the Fisk University campus with her best friends Marva Keith (Wade) and Beth Howse. She studied music, played the piano, and sang in choirs. She attended Pearl High School where she was a member of the percussion section of the band. Her freshman year was spent at Hampton University, but she returned to her beloved Fisk University. It was at Fisk that she met an immigrant from Panama, Eton Roosevelt Wilson and fell in love. They both graduated in 1966 and married that August. They became the proud parents of Natalie Lynn and David Christopher.

She became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-- Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter on April 19, 1975 -- at the tail of her line of 11 Shining Stars with the name “Sgt. York”. She was active with the chapter for years along with many of her close Sorors including Connie Scott and Judith Pressley. She was involved with Arts and Letters and was instrumental in bringing Lena Horne to an annual Peppermint Ball to raise money for College Scholarships.

The rhythm of Jean’s life was music. However, she detoured to Fisk University and majored in education and psychology. She taught Special Education classes in the school systems of Detroit, MI and Cleveland, OH. When she returned to Nashville, she served in leadership roles at the State of Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development, Commerce Union Bank (now Bank of America), the Nashville and National Urban League, Project Return, and Fifty Forward. However, Jean’s passion was the Music Industry. Her work with Lone Oak Entertainment and Turning Point Ltd. Entertainment Consulting brought much joy to her life.

The entertainment industry was her compass and she would always come back to the music industry. She was a songwriter, producer, and creative consultant. Even after acting classes with Ruth Sweet at The Acting Studio and starring in a few commercials, the film Ernest Goes to Camp with Jim Varney, and hosting a morning talk show on a local TV Channel, she returned to music. For many years, she worked as a consultant encouraging and supporting young artists as they launched their careers. She believed in her artists and their music. She enjoyed writing poetry, loving her family, and talking with friends on the phone.

Jean was regarded as an intelligent woman with a bright personality. She was creative, witty, and wise. She was a young soul who loved to laugh and sing. Jean was a good listener and a fun person. She was a wise advisor. She embraced the name “Bossy Boots” but proclaimed she was not bossy but just right. She had great things to say about people and fiercely loved her friends and her family. She was so proud of her heritage and her children, Natalie and David (Rosalind), and her grandson Dalind.

Her earthly departure was Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 8:12 pm in the presence of her sister Jackie  Welch Schlicher and step-mother Mary McKelvey Welch; she joined the ancestors and the heavenly hosts. Left to embrace her memory and honor her legacy are her daughter, Dr. Natalie Lynn Wilson (Oakland/San Leandro, CA); son and daughter-in-law Drs. David Christopher Wilson & Rosalind Johnson; grandson, Dalind Johnson Wilson (all in Berkeley, CA); sister Jackie Welch Schlicher; step-mother Mary Welch; beloved cousins from the Stanback 6; devoted relatives of the Welch family; devoted friends from around the world; numerous adopted children who were friends of her children-- she loved them as her own. She joins her ancestors and loved ones who have waited in the heavenly realms to welcome her. Jean will forever remain embedded in our hearts with love.

The service will be live streamed on Facebook at Lewis-Wright FD.