Barbara Jean White Wilson

Barbara Jean White Wilson of Potomac, Maryland, passed away May 12, 2023 after an ongoing battle with congestive heart failure.  A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-love, aunt, an unwavering friend and mentor of many.  Preceded in death by her parents, Robert Alfonzo White and Gertrude Gray White of Birmingham, Alabama, she is survived by her husband of 57 years, Isaac B. Wilson, Jr.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, the only child of Robert and Gertrude White, Barbara excelled early scholastically skipping a grade in elementary school.  She graduated at age 16 from Ullman High School, where she met her future husband.  Barbara continued her education at Tennessee State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science. She also attended Meharry Medical College, receiving a Medical Technology Certificate.  Later she received an MBA, from Southern Illinois University.

During her career in medical technology, she was employed at several local hospitals to include: Walter Reed, Prince Georges Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Howard University Hospital and Sibley Memorial Hospital where she spent the majority of her career. She retired as the Administrative Director of Pathology at Sibley Memorial Hospital, managing a staff of 112 employees.

Following her marriage in 1965, the Wilson newlyweds moved to New Mexico.  Isaac’s company then transferred him to Goddard Space Flight center in 1967 and the couple relocated to Laurel, Maryland. From there the Wilsons moved to Greenbelt and Adelphi, Maryland before finally settling in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Barbara and her husband joined Zion Baptist Church in 1968 where she affiliated herself with the Charles B. Walker Culture Club and the Senior Choir.  Barbara was an accomplished singer and enjoyed the ministry of music with her friends in the alto section. She forged many lifelong friendships with members in the Senior Choir and was called on often for solos by the Minister of Music, Judith Allen.  Barbara also served as a member of the praise team, which frequently traveled with the previous Pastor of Zion Baptist Church providing musical support. 

A woman of many talents, she was also a great seamstress, excellent cook and astute business woman.  She was the founder of her own Real Estate brokerage; Wilson Properties Incorporated.

A brokerage that served Maryland and the District of Columbia for 20 years.  She also dabbled in stock trading and options as a hobby.

An active member of the community, Barbara Wilson served in several organizations: NAACP, the Alpha Wives Clubs (past president), and on the board of the Montgomery County Community Service Grant Program.  Finally, she was a Diamond Life Member of her beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

She is survived by her husband Isaac B. Wilson Jr. and two children, Isaac B. Wilson III (wife Lynette) of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Lisa Peterson (husband Jonathan), of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  She is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren, Miles W. Peterson, Andrew J. Wilson, Bryce W. Peterson, Jorden Watson and Kennedy Watson.  Although she was an only child, she shared a very close relationship with her in-laws. They include James and Maddie Wilson of Bronx, NY, Sarah Wilson of Birmingham, AL, Daisy Wilson of Birmingham, AL and Georgia Jenkins of Montgomery, AL.; two cousins who were like her brothers, Carl Crawley of Birmingham, Alabama and Johnnie Crawley of Dallas, Texas and the White family on the West Coast.  She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews that loved her immensely and blessed with many friends.

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