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Death in our diocesan family: Wendell Lucien Johnson, stepfather of the Rev. Dr. Canon Sandye A. Wilson

With sadness, we share with you news of the passing on January 26 of Wendell Lucien Johnson, stepfather of the Rev. Dr. Canon Sandye A. Wilson, Rector of St. Andrew & Holy Communion in South Orange.

Wendell was a recipient of the Purple Heart in World War II, and returned from war to play football for Hampton University, where Sandye's mother Anne was his college sweetheart. After graduate school, in which he was the only male in the Graduate School of Social Work at Atlanta University in 1946, he migrated to Chicago to eventually head up the Chicago Housing Authority and to oversee Cabrini Green, the largest and most complicated Housing Development in the nation.

Wendell and Anne married other people, raised families and 46 years later, when their respective spouses had died, they reunited and Sandye performed their marriage to each other. A devout churchman, a loving dad to his four children and her three children and their families, as well as a deeply devoted husband, he said he'd be happy to have even one year with Anne, and tomorrow, January 29, would have been their 20th anniversary. Their great joy was the gift that God gave them for a second chance at love.

Wendell has donated his body to science and a memorial service will be held at a later time.

Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye A. Wilson, 116 Turrell Avenue, South Orange, New Jersey 07079.

Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended.
When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death
we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.
Lord, grant eternal rest, forever in the radiance of your light.
Amen.