Hildred Wilbon was born to Mary Etta Davis and Louis Hill on June 7, 1923, in Akron, Ohio, where she lived her entire life. She had a normal childhood and graduated from Garfield High School.

She was united in marriage on November 24, 1941, to Clifton Wilbon Jr. From this union, a total of 9 children were born. For a short while, she worked at the Akron Fulton Airport, but eventually became a stay-at-home mom.

She had the gift of encouragement and teaching. She taught her children and grandchildren about the Lord and she lived the life she talked about. One thing she stressed to her children, was the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Mom loved singing, sewing, ironing, and she was a great cook. She made the best candy apples and sold them in the neighborhood. Some of her interests were playing tennis, baseball, and wrestling, going to the movie theatre, and long rides with our dad to Stricklands’ Custard Stand. She treasured her friendship with her neighbors who became her dear friends.

Hildred was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost 63 plus years, when she began attending Bethel Temple Church on Hart St. From there, she became one of the faithful charter members of Zion Apostolic Faith Church under Bishop David Parker, Emeritus. Mom served as secretary of the church working alongside Dr. Ada Parker. Although, she had a quiet and meek spirit, she was a prayer warrior, a student of the Word of God, served on the Prayer Band, and was always willing to help. She had a servant’s heart. Mom became the Mother of Zion and was loved by all. She loved the fellowship with the saints at Zion and she deeply loved Pastor and First Lady, Suff. Bishop David Parker, and Lady Vera L. Parker.

Hildred came from a lineage of great women and longevity. Her mom, Mary Etta Davis lived to be 102 years old. Aunt, Mother Vivian Sheppard, and cousin, Mother Elizabeth Turner, lived to be 103 years old and both were mothers of Zion. When asked the question, what she felt attributed to her long life, she always quoted Exodus 20:12 KJV “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long . . .” God blessed her with 98 years of life! Praise God!

Hildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifton Wilbon, Jr.; daughters, Joyce Elaine Wilbon, Rosemarie King, Marilyn Sue Giddings, and Jacqueline Ann Wilbon; grandsons, Lamont DaShawn Wilbon; and Dezmond Bre’own Martin.

She leaves to cherish her memory children, Marietta Carswell of Baltimore, MD, Valarie Cannon, Clifton Wilbon III, Julia (George) Reese, and Kimberly Wilbon Avery all of Akron, Ohio; 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.