Wilhemena McLaughlin died peacefully on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Greene's Residential Facility, where she lived since October 1999.

Wilhemena was born on January 9, 1938.  Her birth mother was Eartha LeeMcLaughlin Branch; however, she and her older sister, Lela Mae, were raised by their maternal grandparents,
Sam and Anna Pearson McLaughlin, whom they affectionately called dad and mom. They were members of Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church.

Wilhemena completed her elementary education at Savage Glover School before entering Lincoln High School. When she was in ninth grade, she served as president of Lincoln's chapter of New Homemakers of America (NHA).  After graduating from Lincoln on May 31, 1956, she attended college in New York, then returned to Sumter. She worked with the school system a few years before becoming incapacitated. Wilhemena was buoyed by the presence of family and friends.  She looked at life with quiet eyes and displayed an attitude of gratitude. She had a sweet smile and a pleasant disposition.

Her memory will be cherished by her sister, Dolores Branch Hall; her nieces: Rosalind Vaughn, Theressa Staley, and Candais Hall; her nephews: DeVaughn Staley, W. C. Hall, Kory Hall, and Torrance Hall; and grandnephews: Justin Haile, Gearald Ennis, Jr., and Jarious Ennis, all of Dallas, Texas; cousins, Barbara Roman Jackson and Arthuree McLaughlin Wright; special friends and classmates: Carol DeChamps James and Mary Gerard; and other family members and friends.

Wilhemena was preceded in death by her mother, grandparents, and older sister, Lela Vaughn.

Public viewing will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 9:30am – 10:45am at Job's Mortuary, Inc.

Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Job's Mortuary Parlor, 312 S. Main Street, Sumter, SC.

Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery.