Harold Wesson

My dad, HAROLD E. WESSON was the second child born to the late Bennett Wesson, Sr. and Suestelle Patton Wesson, on August 17, 1930. My father attended the Birmingham, Alabama Public School System where he excelled academically and was able to skip the fourth grade and graduate at the age of sixteen from Westfield High School. My dad lost his mother at the age of six but learned the value of family early in life because of his paternal grandmother Lizzie Wesson, and his aunts Rebecca and Elma who were "at the ready," along with the Martin Quarters Community to help raise him. My father entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served his country honorably until his discharge as a Corporal. After his discharge, my father attended trade school on the GI Bill and returned to his job with U.S. Steel. However, being from the heart of the segregated South, my father realized that he needed to leave Birmingham for better opportunities in life. In 1956, his journey began with a move to San Diego, California. He was employed at Convair, which was a division of General Dynamics and held a part-time job at Campbell Chevrolet. In the early 1960s, my father sec...[more]

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d employment with the U.S. Postal Service where he was employed until he retired in 1992. My father met my mother in Birmingham and she followed her man to California, but she went to Los Angeles to live with her Aunt Icielo Brown. In 1956, my parents wed in Yuma, Arizona. To this union, my two sisters and I were born: Gina Rochelle, Vanessa Delle, and Edwin Leon. In 1972, my father was baptized into Christ under the guidance of Taylor A. McKenzie. In 1976 my father desired to serve as a deacon in the congregation and did so until his death. My father enjoyed many things in life, but three things that stood out were barbequing, driving his "blue" car up and down the west coast, across the country, and points beyond; and playing Bid Whist. My father left time and entered eternity on April 20, 2022. He was preceded in death by my mother in July 2017; my sister Vanessa in April 2001, his two sisters Doris Hunter and Olivia Davenport; his brother Bennett Wesson, Jr.; and a special cousin Willie Clyde Logan. Left to celebrate his life and legacy are his daughter Gina W. Jenkins (Maurice, Jr.); myself, Edwin L. Wesson (Belinda); his youngest surviving sister Jaunita Rodgers, of Youngstown, Ohio; five grandchildren: Ryan S. Davis, Maurice E. Jenkins, III (Terricka), Mia E. Jenkins, Maya L. Wesson and Cameron B. Wesson; a great-granddaughter Madison E. Jenkins; two cousins who knew my father as "Grandpa," Kevin Gillum and Jasmine Gillum-Lucas; one step-sister, Jessie Floyd; and one step-brother, William Burnette; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and so many treasured friends.