Wilson S. Sligh,Sr. age 95, of Bartow, FL, died Sunday,
September 15, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Darlington, SC.

Wilson Sylvester Sligh, Sr. was born in Newberry, SC on August 3, 1918, son of the late Robert and Roberta Wilson Sligh.

"Cuda", as nicknamed by his family, was a graduate of Drayton Street High School in Newberry, SC and Bettis Junior College in Trenton, SC. At an early age, he gave his heart and hand to the Lord at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Newberry; he was a faithful member. He helped organize Bethlehem's Junior Choir and was an active member on both the Senior and Junior Choirs.

Following college, Wilson was married to Marguerite Lawson and fathered four children: Wilson, Jr., Robert, Marguerite and Bessie. The family resided in Cheraw, SC for a period of time. The marriage eventually dissolved, but Wilson continued to be involved with the lives of his children.

After relocation to Darlington, he joined himself with Macedonia Baptist Church and immediately started singing with the Senior Choir where he remained a member for several years. Following his marriage to Jael Bacote, he joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church to be with her. During his marriage with her, another four children were born – Gwendolyn, Joel, Michelle and Lanelle.

He was the Ex-Chaplin of Pleasant Grove's Willing Workers Club and the first president of both the Pleasant Grove Gospel Choir and Pleasant Grove Male Chorus. After a number of years, he resigned his position, but kept his voice ringing.

In addition to church activities, Wilson was a driving force in keeping the Bacote farm productive. He was well-known and respected in the Darlington area for his abilities as an "on call general contractor" performing such duties as electrical wiring, painting, hanging wallpaper, and masonry. Few people know that the house he shared with his wife, Jael, he built stone by stone using the night club she operated as the home's foundation.

Upon retiring, he remained in Darlington for several years, however, during the final four and a half years, he resided in Bartow, FL. Wilson remained active with gardening on a daily basis and, when not watching the sport of baseball, could frequently be heard humming or singing his favorite gospel songs. He also enjoyed constant interaction with, as he lovingly called them, "my granddogs."

Anyone who spent time with Wilson knew that he always had a story to tell or something to say that would make you laugh. His motto in life was: "Always be happy. Smile…and the world smiles with you!"

In addition to his parents, Wilson was also preceded in death by his late wife - Jael Bacote Sligh; son - Robert; twin daughters, - Michelle and Lanelle; two brothers - Eugene and Henry; sister - Magnolia; step-daughter – Elaine Lewis; granddaughters- Michelle and Tanya Lewis; grandnieces – Carolyn and Miriam Spearman; great grandson – Matthew; great granddaughter - Brianna Bigby, and Marguerite Lawson - wife from his previous marriage.

Left to cherish his memories are: three daughters - Marguerite Sligh of Bay Shore, NY, Bessie Sligh of Smyrna, GA, and Gwendolyn Sligh of Darlington, SC; two sons – Wilson Sligh, Jr. of Pearl City, HI, and Joel Sligh of Bartow, FL; step-daughter, Cynthia (Eddie) Bynum of New Haven, CT; several grandchildren which include Yolanda Bynum of Baltimore, MD and Jelani Sligh of Darlington, SC; many nieces and nephews including Clarin Bacote of Darlington, SC and Virginia Spearman of Newberry, SC; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, and friends.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2013, 11:00 AM at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1372 Pocket Road, Darlington, South Carolina.

Arrangements are being handled by Gause Funeral Home.