Willie Mae Wise, from Milan, Indiana, was born on June 9, 1931 in Fairview, North Carolina, a daughter to William Maney. Willie Mae lost her mother in childbirth and was raised by her father and later, a stepmother, Ollie. She married Albert E. Wise on April 9, 1950 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Sunman. Willie Mae worked as a farm wife, raised three children, and was active in her community. She was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church as well as Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro. Willie Mae was a member of the Ripley County Farm Bureau, the Ripley County Antique Machinery Club, and co-chairperson of the Ripley County Republican Party. She also served as a 4-H advisor and participated in an outreach gospel program for WTRE radio on Sunday afternoons. In her spare time she loved to paint, travel, sing and attend antique farm machinery shows. On Monday, December 17, 2018 at the age of 87, she passed away at Brookdale in Englewood, Ohio.
Those surviving who will cherish Willie Mae’s memory include her children, John William (Jane) Wise of Milan, Susan (Clarence) Stogner of Loveland, OH, and Thomas (Barbara) Wise of Dayton, OH; 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Sunman, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be directed to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or to St. Paul United Methodist Church women. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Willie Mae Wise.