Wilhelmenia Joyner Jefferson Priester born July 22, 1932, in Bamberg, South Carolina, to the late Sidney and Flossie Hayes Joyner departed this life on September 21, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. Hers was a life defined by service, leadership and commitment to family, faith and community.

She attended Voorhees H.S.  (Denmark, SC) and Wilkinson High School (Orangeburg, SC) before graduating from her beloved Claflin University in 1954.   After her marriage to Shelton Jefferson of Orangeburg and the birth of two children, the family relocated to Brooklyn, New York in 1958. Wilhelmenia worked various jobs and continued to grow her family before joining the New York City Board of Education as an elementary school teacher for more than thirty years. She also obtained a Masters in Elementary Education from Long Island University and additional specialized certifications to enhance her teaching skills.

As a faithful member of Bushwick United Methodist Church Wilhelmenia served in many capacities that included United Methodist Women and church trustee. She was especially proud of her work with the youth where she was instrumental in starting a Boy Scout Troop and youth summer program that engaged community children. With her leadership these activities carried on for many years, her accolades and awards that highlight and attest to these contributions are numerous and well deserved.

Her service with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. began in the Mu chapter in Spring1952 on the campus of Claflin University and continued for 73 years. Wilhelmenia was a member of Delta Alpha Zeta in Brooklyn, New York where she held several offices and was named Soror of the Year in 1980. She was also a beloved chapter member to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Founder Fannie P Watts.  In 2006 she became a charter member and president of the Upsilon Rho Zeta chapter in Bamberg, SC. She was a Diamond Life Member of the organization. Her proud Zeta legacy includes a daughter, four granddaughters, a sister and a niece.

Her dedication to family extended to nieces, nephews and cousins where you were reminded of the importance of education because she was a tireless advocate for civil participation and public education. She was a listening ear or a helping hand; she loved her family and was loved in return.

Wilhelmenia and her late husband Willie Priester decided to relocate to Bamberg, SC upon his retirement, they connected in fellowship with Orange Grove UMC where they both served faithfully until declining health. They traveled the world and enjoyed daily life as Willie & Willie.   He preceded her in death in April 2024.

Sisters Erma Stephens, Ellanora Barnwell, Annie McMillian and Sadie Queenell Memminger along with their parents Sidney and Flossie Joyner preceded her in death.

She is survived by her five loving children, Shelton Jefferson, Gwendolyn Spencer (Eugene), Sonia Taylor, Shileen Jefferson and Sherrod Jefferson (Demetricus); fourteen cherished grandchildren, Kevin, Shalonda, Tashyra, Shonda, William, Kingsley, Eugene, Edward, Ayesha, Ruth, Marcus, Sharese, Deanna (Jerimiah), Thelma and ten wonderful great grands, Karimah, James, Sofia, Grace, Benjamin, Levi, Abigail, Michael , Amelia and Daisy; four sisters, Richardell Limehouse, Josephine Duncan, Gwendolyn Folk (Keever) and Flossie Stevenson; two sisters- in- law, Ella Julia Caldwell and Helen Jefferson; bonus daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Willie Priester and many nieces, nephews and cousins.