Life Story

Harvey T. Wilson was born on August 25, 1940, in North Virginia to Mattie and Elkanah Rankines, he was one of their nine children. On October 25, 2025 @ 4:08 pm, surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of his home, Harvey peacefully took his last breath and gained his wings as an angel here on earth. He now joins both of his parents as well as his sisters and brothers; Alexander, Mary, Betty Lee, Elkanah, Pete, Uncle Stagg, and his children; Lisa, Mark, Frankie, Sharetta, Guy, Harvey, and Kevin. To know Harvey was to love him, and that is evident in the display of love that has been shown by his community of family and friends during this time of bereavement. Harvey’s early years in life were spent in Virginia where he resided with his aunt until the age of 7. He then moved to the state of New Jersey, where his mother joined him. Harvey attended the Burlington school system until the 9th grade. It was at this time that he was introduced to the working world and never looked back.

With a strong work ethic that was instilled in Harvey’s life at a young age, he indeed was no stranger to hard work. His journey in employment over the years allowed him to utilize his natural gift of working with his hands, which is one of the many things that he was known for. Harvey’s beginnings in the workforce started off with him working in a lunchroom, which eventually led to positions in the industry of plumbing and piping. He engaged in this field of work for a total of 8 years with the time split between organizations. As time passed, Harvey decided to invest in a passion of his, BOXING. So much so that in the 1960s, he became a known Golden Glove boxer. While boxing was something that he was good at, Harvey knew he had to pave a path for a career that offered stability. He moved on to work with Campbell Soup, for a total of 23 years. Harvey retired from working in the year 2002, after spending 16 years working for Pillsbury. An active and devoted worker during his life, he also displayed his entrepreneurial spirit in the 1980s and the 1990s, by maintaining his own store.

In 1962, Harvey was introduced to the joy of parenthood, fathering 15 children over the years - Tanya, Guy, Lisa, Theodore, Frankie, Mark, Kevin, Deborah, Sharetta, Demetruis, Harvey, Robert, Norman, Ovella, Annetta and Sandra. Later in life, Harvey went on to meet and fall in love with a wonderful woman named Mae. On May 17, 1975, Harvey and Mae, solidified their love and married one another. With a strong belief in the foundation of what family is and the joy that it brings, Harvey and Mae later added to their tribe and adopted Sandra Fisher. As a result of this total family unit, a legacy was produced that will live on for years to come. Family has always been the centerpiece of Harvey’s heart. Anyone that knows Harvey knows the value that he placed on family. He loved and adored all his children equally, allowing each of them to build their own individual memories with him. Harvey loved GOD. He served God both diligently and faithfully. Throughout his life, he was an active and frequent member of the church, finding havens to build his relationship with God. During the 1970s, he was an active member where he served under Elder Shambry at 4th Street in Camden, NJ and he also attended Mt. Calvary at this point in his life. In 2009, Harvey joined Faith Tabernacle Church of Living God, in which he was ministered by Pastor Barbara Farmer. He spent his last years as an active member of Little Rock Baptist Church.

Harvey was known for being a constant and reliable helping hand. He found joy in aiding and servicing needs of those that he held dear. Whoever he can assist, both family and friends equally, he would extend himself willingly. He loved taking care of and repairing his own home, making him a known handyman. Carrying this title, allowed him to continue in fulfilling the use of his gift “His Hands”. With this, one of his greatest passions manifested, it was rebuilding and restoring houses. In doing this, he turned tools, sweat and vision into something new and magnificent.

Harvey leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife Mae Wilson; his children; Tanya (late Ollie Mitchell), Demetruis (Charlene Bell), Norman (Gail Porter Townsend), Annetta (Shavasco Anderson), Teddy (Denise Gaines), Deborah (Dennis Jackson), Sandra (Terrance Triplett), Robert, and Ovella; his siblings; Eulith (Bobby Rankines), George (Antionette Rankines), and Annetta, his daughter-in-law; Marcel, and a host of Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great-great Grands and Nieces and Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews and Great-great Nieces and Nephews, and a host of other relatives. Although our hearts are heavy at his passing, we celebrate the life of a man who loved and adored God as well as his family. His discipline and hard-working nature aided in building the enduring legacy that he leaves behind. All of those who knew him know that there is now a void that cannot be filled due to his physical absence. He will truly be missed! May his memory be a blessing.