ONEEDA WESSELLS
On August 24, 2021, Oneeda Frances Wessells, age 90, transitioned from her earthly life to be with the Lord. Born on April 27, 1931, Oneeda was the sixth child of the late James Wessells and Madeline Fosque Wessells. Having been preceded in death by her parents and siblings, she was the last living member of her immediate family. Her passing completes “The James and Madeline Wessells Family Circle” as Oneeda is now united with her parents, her sisters, Effie Wessells White, Eva E. Wessells, Sara Wessells Bailey and Ida Mae Wessells West and her brother, Edward Wessells. Oneeda attended the Whitesville Elementary School (Whitesville/Parksley, VA) then Mary N. Smith H.S., graduating in 1951. After graduation, she moved to Baltimore and lived with family members while adjusting to her new life. Oneeda loved visiting and spending time with her Aunts Minnie and Sarah Jane and her cousins Beverly and Craig, with whom she remained close.
Oneeda attended several schools, one of which was Nursing School. She worked for several State Hospitals until she retired from the Rosewood State Hospital in 1996. After retiring, she did voluntary work for a while.
Before relocating from the Eastern Shore, Oneeda attended Metompkin Baptist Church, Parksley, Virginia. Having been reared in the Church, Oneeda understood the value of having a spiritual connection. Thus, she joined Simmons Memorial Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland. She loved singing in the choir. Her favorite hymns were “I Must Tell Jesus”, “No Not One” and “Footprints of Jesus”, a song which she loved to hear her sister Ida Mae West sing.
Although Oneeda was a private person, she enjoyed communicating with family and friends. For many years, she phone chatted nightly with her nephew, William Wessells. After arriving in Baltimore, Oneeda stayed in touch with some of her high school friends by calling and writing letters regularly. She made many new friends and reacquainted herself with persons from home. One such friend was Mary Katherine Hall Claude from Onancock (Bayside), VA. Not only did they work together at the Rosewood State Hospital, they developed a lasting friendship.
Oneeda will be remembered for having unique mannerisms. After being an independent and self-sufficient person for all of her adult life, she was clearly confident in her thoughts and sometimes outspoken ways. As a young woman, she took pride in keeping up with the styles. She would arrive from Baltimore to visit her family in Greenbush wearing the latest fashions. She kept her regular hair salon appointments and loved wearing makeup daily. Prior to her failing health, she was never seen not wearing makeup or being “Dolled Up”.
Oneeda loved her nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by nephews Clementine, Donald, Kenneth and James.
She is survived by niece Kisha West of Keller,VA, a niece with whom she resided the last months of her life; other nieces and nephews, Odelsie Wessells and Grover Tyrone Wessells, both of Accomac, VA; Stacey Holland (Carol), Greenbush, VA; Edward Lee Wessells (Samara) and Michael Wessells (Lisa), both of Philadelphia, PA and William Wessells (Phyllis) Virginia Beach, VA; and a host of great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
We thank God for the time he shared Oneeda with us.
