Willodean Bailey Wise was born October 26, 1935 in the Booker Washington Heights Community of Columbia, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Arthur B. and Mamie Gant Bailey. She passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia.

At an early age Willodean, joined St John Baptist Church and was baptized by Reverend Booker Sears. She was a graduate from C.A. Johnson High School. She later attended the Waverly School of Beauty where she received her cosmetology degree. On March 13, 1994, she retired from the State of South Carolina.

Willodean will be remembered for her respectful, quiet, easy-going manner.

She will be missed by her two daughters, Wynetta D. Wise and Debra Fanning, both of Columbia, South Carolina; her son, Leroy Wise of Winston Salem, North Carolina; one grandchild and four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary B. Bucker of Greenwood, South Carolina and Julia B. Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina; as well as several nephews, nieces, a host of other relatives, and many friends.