Dr. Gwendolyn Jean Wilson

Born to the union of Isaac Clarence Williams and Mariam Jean Storey, Gwen Williams Wilson made her grand entrance into the world on November 10, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan. The second of four children, she was raised alongside her older brother, Marvin and her younger siblings, Isaac Jr. and Carla Faye.

A revolutionary spirit from an early age, Gwen graduated from David Mackenzie High School in 1971 with a deep commitment to fighting social injustice and building stronger communities. Along her journey, she met and fell in love with Carter Wilson. They were married in December of 1971, a union that also blessed Gwen with two lifelong sisters, Audrey and Delicia. From this marriage came her two beloved children, Sabura Nati Wilson and Abdul Karim Wilson. Gwen’s greatest joy was her family. Through Sabura, she became the proud grandmother of Mustafah, Sayedah, Asiyah, and Ishaq. Karim and Spring Wilson expanded the legacy with grandchildren, Jordan and Kalia. Her heart continued to grow as she became a great-grandmother to Amiyah (Mercedes), Ariel, Arsenia, and Ayende through Mustafah and his wife, Aaliyah, and to Musa and Yunus through Sayedah. Gwen’s caring heart always had room for more—over the years she lovingly gathered a beautiful circle of bonus children and grandchildren who knew her as Mom, Magra, Grandma, or Dr. Wilson.

Gwen’s calling as an educator began early through her home daycare, Shule Ya Watoto, where she was lovingly known as Momma Letta. There, she nurtured young children with patience, structure, and love, laying the foundation for lifelong commitment to education, equity, and care for the whole child. In addition to being a grandmother extraordinaire, Gwen devoted her life to education, advocacy, and community service. She served as a teacher, administrator, professor, and activist, and earned her PhD in Special Education from the University of Toledo. As Dr. Wilson, she mentored, guided, and developed future educators, leaving a lasting imprint on the field and on the lives of those she taught. She was also instrumental in opening one of Toledo’s first charter schools, Toledo Village Shule, where her leadership helped shape the academic success and growth of students, families, and staff.

Gwen was a devoted Unitarian Universalist who lived her faith through action. She believed deeply in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and was an active member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Toledo. There, she was a vocal advocate for the adoption and living out of the Eighth Principle and consistently stood on the front lines of social justice and community involvement. Gwen was also deeply engaged in the broader multifaith community, serving through the Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio and the Community Solidarity and Response Network, where she worked collaboratively across faith traditions to respond to injustice, build solidarity, and strengthen community care.

Her community involvement was broad and deeply rooted. Gwen was active in Smith Park initiatives such as Smith Park Proud and the Englewood Neighborhood Community Coalition. She advocated tirelessly for improvements to the Mott Branch Library, supported cancer advocacy groups, and consistently worked to promote social justice and healthy, thriving communities. Gwen never stopped looking for ways to uplift others.

Above all, Gwen loved being with her family—especially her grandchildren. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, hosting holiday and non-holiday gatherings alike, where everyone felt embraced. She delighted in wine tasting, traveling, line dancing with the Women on the Move group, and tending to her yard—even when she was supposed to be taking it easy.

Gwen’s life was rich with love, learning, laughter, and light. She shared that light generously, leaving an enduring imprint on every life she touched. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit continues to shine through her family, her students, her faith community, and the countless people she inspired.

Service: Saturday, January 24th 2026, at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3205 Glendale Ave, Toledo, OH 43614

Family Hour: 11am-Noon, Memorial: Noon-1

Repast: at Reynolds Reception Hall, 419 N Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615, from 2pm until