Rebecca A Wilson

Rebecca Armistice Wilson Nov. 11, 1921 - July 6, 2020

The daughter of Joseph and Leona Thigpen, Rebecca Armistice bounced into this world on a beautiful day on November 11, 1921, in Washington, D.C., where she grew up surrounded by a tight-knit family. Her education began at Bell and Lincoln Elementary Schools. She graduated from Dunbar High School. “Becky,” as her friends called her, earned her practical nursing degree from M.M. Washington Vocational School, fulfilling her lifelong passion to be of service to others. During World War II, she helped the war effort as an ordnance worker at Washington’s Bellevue Naval Magazine factory. She would never talk about that work, as she was sworn to secrecy. Earlier, she held waitress and cashier jobs at local restaurants. In the midst of war, she married Frank Cunningham of Laurens, S.C. and Washington. She also held several clerical positions in private industry and the federal government, including working for the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service during the day and attending night classes to become a nurse. Rebecca became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and she worked for many years with Dr. Joseph Rose on 16th Street, N.W., in Washington. Together, they provided quality pediatric care in the 1960s and 1970s to many minorities who could not afford quality medical care. She received several awards from Johns Hopkins University and the District of Columbia Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), as she continued her nursing passion working and caring for those with psychological and social disabilities. She continued in this field at the Forest Haven Children’s Center in Laurel, Md., from 1974 until her retirement in 1988. After her divorce from Frank Cunningham, she later married Joseph M. Wilson, of Atlanta, Ga. She continued her tireless work as the family matriarch, raising three children and helping with her grandchildren. Ms. Wilson was raised in the African American Methodist Church, later converting to Catholicism in 1965. She served the Lord in many ways at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Washington. She was part of many church organizations, but excelled in the annual “Oyster Roast,” which she organized flawlessly. She was also a member of the church’s Solidarity Club. God saw her getting tired. On the morning of July 6, 2020, the angels began to rejoice when the Lord said, “Come home, My child.” Those who know, love and remember her can cherish and find comfort knowing that she is with Him now and forever. Leaving those who love her dearly are her children: Dwight F. Cunningham, Sr. (Elizabeth Brown), Danita E. Cobb and Joseph M. Wilson, Jr.; Grandchildren: Dwight F. Cunningham, Jr., Jai (Kevin) Branch, Charnita Daniels (deceased), Correy Daniels, Kia Cobb, Kerri Cobb and Janiyah Wilson; Great grandchildren: Megan Daniels, Kyle Daniels, Journey Daniels, Jalen Cunningham, Jordan Cunningham, Jasmine Branch, Alana Branch; Great-great grandchildren: Kyah Daniels and Joy Daniels.  Rebecca’s middle name is “Armistice,” a significant word since she was born on the second anniversary of the end of World War I. Her middle name means “Peace,” which is what Rebecca always practiced in life’s journey. She radiated peace and always gave joy to the world.

So Long Rebecca, we will love you forever.

“GOD is good, all the Time”

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