Obituary for Greer Wilson – Charlottesville, VA

HAMPTON – Greer Marie Dawson Wilson died Saturday, November 13, 2004, after a brief illness at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was born January 5, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia, to James Melvin and Martha Eaton Dawson. Greer spent her early childhood in Richmond, Virginia. She and her family moved to Hampton and graduated from Phenix High School on the campus of Hampton University. Even at a very young age, Greer Marie was considered a gifted concert musician, proficient on the piano, flute and violin. After graduating from high school, she won the James Weldon Johnson Music Scholarship and was accepted to the prestigious School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in piano and music education. She earned a Master of Arts in counseling from the Hampton Institute and a Doctor of Education in counseling from the College of William and Mary. Dr. Greer Dawson Wilson was president and CEO of Greer and Company, a consulting firm that works with individuals and groups to value, understand, and celebrate people of all races, genders, cultures, and ethnicities. For over 20 years, Greer worked at Hampton University, where she founded the Student Leadership Program. With over 1,500 graduates, the program has been replicated at several colleges and universities. Dr. Wilson served as director of Newcomb Hall at the University of Virginia. During her time at the university, she designed and directed diversity education programs for students, faculty, and staff. Greer was the first African American woman to serve as president of the Association of College Unions International. In 1991, she received the Butts Whiting Award for her outstanding contributions to her profession and community. She was the first African American chair of the Virginia State Board Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. Dr. Wilson has been recognized as an expert in consulting, student and executive leadership, diversity, and multicultural training and education. As a result, she has been a keynote speaker, trainer, workshop and diversity and seminar leader for private and public agencies, public school systems, and community groups throughout the United States, Canada, and South Africa. She has received numerous awards and recognitions and has written and published several articles on the topic of diversity in the workplace. An extraordinarily accomplished concert pianist, she was the choirmaster of the Chancel Choir of Bethel AME Church in Hampton, Virginia for over 30 years. Dr. Wilson has performed with Dr. Maya Angelou and a variety of other celebrities. She has performed solo and two-piano concerts with Roland Carter across the country. Greer has also performed her one-woman show, “Son of a People.” Greer was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and the American Association of Black Musicians. Greer was preceded in death by her father, James Melvin Dawson Sr., and her brother, James Melvin Dawson Jr. She leaves behind to celebrate her life her daughters, Sarita Guffin of Memphis, Tennessee, and Samia Byrd of Alexandria, Virginia; her mother, Dr. Martha E. Dawson; her sons-in-law, Quentin Guffin and Steven Byrd; her sister, Martina D. Ellis and her husband, Howard Ellis; her granddaughters, Cyanna Marie, Ayanna Quinn, and Maysa Leilani; her sister-in-law, Ann Marie Dawson of Madison, Wisconsin; her aunts, Mrs. Bennie J. Eaton of Hampton, Virginia, and Mrs. Leathia Eaton of Tallahassee, Florida. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many other family and friends, including the Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Wilson, Jr., who will miss her dearly. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 20, at Hampton University Chapel with the Reverend Andre Jefferson officiating. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday at 13 Howe Road. The viewing will be Friday, November 19, from noon to 6 p.m. Services of the Hampton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omega Omega, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Ronald C. Perkins Funeral Home.