Wilhelmina Carver

September 24, 2020

The Carver & Hardie Families will celebrate the life, love and legacy of Mrs. Wilhelmina Carver, devoted wife, mother and member of Ebenezer Baptist Church on:

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Viewing – 9:00AM

Celebration of Life – 10:00AM

Rev. Dr. LeRoy Hill, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church – officiating

FINAL RESTING PLACE:

Olive Branch Cemetery (at City Park)

Portsmouth, VA

DUE TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC, WE ARE FOLLOWING CDC, STATE AND LOCAL GUIDELINES. A FACIAL COVERING FOR THE MOUTH AND NOSE IS REQUIRED IN PUBLIC AND TO ENTER FACILITIES. TEMPERATURE CHECKS WILL BE TAKEN AT THE DOOR. IF YOU HAVE A COLD, FLU OR EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF COVID19, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME.

**WALK THROUGH VIEWING GUIDELINES:

Visitors are encouraged not to display signs of affection, such as hugging or kissing while inside of facilities to decrease spread of COVID19 virus. We are asking our guest to comply with guidelines such as facial coverings, temperature checks and limit visits to 3-5 minutes. Only 10 visitors are allowed at a time in the chapel during viewing hours. Thank you for your cooperation.

On June 4, 1927, a precious baby girl, Wilhelmina, was born to Enfield and Daisy Josey Bishop in Rich Square Township, Northampton County, North Carolina. She was the youngest of 5 caring sisters, and 1 brother Darnell, who died at an early age. Janelle- nurturer, Geneva = provider, Althea – protector, Lizzie- style. At the age of 10, she walked 2 miles with her older cousin to a placed where they played church. She represented the congregation and her cousin, who could really sing, represented the soloist. They read a few passages from the bible, then headed back home for 2 miles by foot. During this time, cars were scarcely seen on the road.

Her mother Daisy was her rock. She was as wholesome as she was strong and loved to sing. One thing that Wilhelmina will always remember hearing her mother say was “stay on your knees and keep praying.”

Singing and playing the piano was Wilhelmina’s favorite pastime. She graduated from W.S. Creecy High School where she sung the solo, “I Heard of a City Called Heaven,” at her baccalaureate ceremony. She also attended Payne Business College.

While visiting her sister Lizzie in Portsmouth, VA, she met and later married the man of her dreams, James Edward Carver, who lived next door. At the age of 24, she and her mother joined Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 20, 1952 and were both baptized May 25, 1952. During her 68 years of service, she served on the Helping Hands Committee, the Number 2 Choir, the Senior Choir, and was a regular attendee of the Noon Day Prayer Service, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

She leaves to cherish her loving presence: A son – James E. Carver, Jr. (Deardrian) – Chester, VA; two daughters – Joanne Carver Hardie (Moses) – Canton, GA and Wilhelmina Carver Brantley (Kyle W. ) – Mansfield, TX; one sister – Althea Sanders – Baltimore, MD; five grandchildren – Michelle Carver Lewis (Theodore Jr.) – Canton, GA; James E. Carver, III – Kennesaw, GA; Crystal Hardie Langston (Jeffrey) – Philadelphia, PA; Moses A. Hardie, III – Canton, GA; Kyle J. Brantley – Mansfield, TX; five great grandchildren – Alexandria Lewis, Theodore J. Lewis, Clara Hardie, Layla Hardie and Christopher Langston; and a host of relatives and friends. Her husband, James Edward Carver, Sr., three sisters and brother preceded her in death.