Ms. ILeen Wise

Ms. Ileen Wise was born on April 13th, 1952, in Columbia South Carolina. She was the 4th of 5 children born to the late Paul W. Wise , and Maggie Jones Wise of Lexington, South Carolina. The wise family gained another ancestor with the passing of Ileen Wise, on Tuesday July, 25th 2023. She was a student in the Lexington County school system. She attended Rosenwald, then completed her intermediate education by graduating from Lexington High school, Class of 1971. She also attended Allen University where she held numerous titles: Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore, Miss Concert Choir. She also won the SC Female Finesse Pageant at the age of 51yrs. She was the first of Black American to participate in the Ms. Lexington pageant, the sub-pageant to Miss South Carolina, and the Ms. America Pageant. Her first year of participation, she was a runner-up, and she was requested to return to compete the second year, where she was the winner of the talent portion of the competition. She was one of the first, if not the first Black American female from the town of Lexington, South Carolina to join the United States Air Force. She was a member of the Color Guard for the Change of Command Ceremony for General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James assumption of Command of the Military Airlift Command. While at Scott AFB she and her church choir colleagues recorded a gospel album, where she performed a solo on one of the selections. She was a singer in multiple local bands in the Columbia area. Most importantly she continuously gave back to her community in evangelical song, lifting the emotional spirits of those who heard her angelic voice. Ileen was predeceased in death by 3 brothers, Marion Wise, Anthony Wise, and Willie E. Wise. She is survived by her sons, Mr. Tammy Leon (Christie) Wise, and Mr. Tarron Antwan Wise; grandchildren, Mr. Dakireah Wise, Mr. Tyler Wise, Miss Makalya Wise; one great-granddaughter, Miss Delilah A. Wise; brothers, Joseph (Azalee) Wise, and Mr. Paul Willie Wise, Jr.; sisters, Mrs. Joyce Jeffers, and Mrs. Brenda K. (Gary) Holley; step grandmother, Cassandra Wise and Emma Mickens; sister-in-law, Mrs. Sammie Mae Wise; sisters in love, Mrs. Linda Hayes, Mrs. Diane Dixon, Mrs. Helen G. Brown and Mrs. Karen Dykes; brothers in love, Mr. George D. Brown, Mr. Michael Dixon, and Mr. Edward Dykes; sister/cousin, Ms. Sarah Jones, and a host of Nieces, Nephews and other loving relatives and friends who loved her truly. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023 at New Bethel A. M. E. Church, 500 S. Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina 29072. Reverend Elaine Eskew, Pastor, Reverend Carson Wise, officiating. Inurnment to follow 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Like our Facebook page: A. A. Dicks Funeral Home - Sullivan Chapel Add our Facebook Friend Page and leave a comment: A. A. Dicks FH

Ms. ILeen Wise

April 13, 1952 - July 25, 2023