Deacon Wilbert Paige, Sr. - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend –
passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Deacon Paige, affectionately known as Mill, was born February 10,1935 to the late Snyder and Carrie Paige in Uniontown, AL. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Little Union Baptist Church. As a young man, he moved to Brooksville, FL and later to Buffalo, NY where he met and married the love of his life, Mahalia Haywood. God blessed their union with two sons, Wilbert Jr., and Gregory Tyrone. In 1974, Wilbert and his family relocated to Mobile, AL. They joined Blooming Grove Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and usher for many years. In 1997, after decades of hard work, Wilbert retired from Ingalls Shipyard and began enjoying more of his favorite pastimes: fishing and hunting. Later Wilbert became part of the “McDonald's Crew” where he and friends met daily to discuss life, the Word of God, fishing, hunting, or anything that came to mind. During these discussions with the McDonald’s Crew, he was often encouraged to visit the holiness church. Wilbert visited and later joined Chunchula Apostolic Ministries where, at the age of 70, he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Soon after, he was ordained as a Deacon and served until his health began to fail. On July 19, 2022, God called Wilbert to eternal rest.
Beautiful memories will always linger with Wilbert’s loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Mahalia H. Paige, two sons: Wilbert Paige Jr., of Mobile, AL, and Gregory T. (LaTonya King-Paige) Paige of Rex, GA. Four siblings: Leila Smith, Ruthie Colbert, Claudine Jones, and Prince (Barbara) Paige all of Buffalo, NY. One brother-in-law, Clarence Haywood of Belvidere, IL. Five grandchildren: Stephanie, Jason (Dr. Ariel Taylor), Wilbert III, Gregory, and Ramsey. One expected great grandson: Jaxon Paige. Two devoted God-children Katrina Burpo and Vincent Griffin. Devoted friends: Jimmy King, Sr., Walter McCants, Alice Bell, and Henry Burns. A host of nieces (one devoted niece Zandra Miller), nephews, cousins, friends, and the Chunchula Apostolic Church family.
In addition to his parents, Wilbert was preceded in death by one granddaughter Samantha Paige; five brothers - Eddie, Edward, Snyder Jr., Jimmy, and Jesse; two sisters - Clara Sweden and Annie Kimbrough.