Rev.
J. Wendell Mapson, Sr., 99, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away
October, 14, 2007. He was a member of Dayspring Baptist Church, Rev. Jeffrey K.
Rumlin, Pastor. Rev. Mapson was born on March 5, 1908 in Bullock County,
Alabama. His parents and six siblings preceded him in death.
A graduate of Selma University in Selma, Alabama, Rev. Mapson began his illustrious career as a pastor in 1933 in Brundidge, Alabama. After pastorates in Bainbridge, Georgia, Talladega, Alabama, Columbus, Georgia, and West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1947.
Rev. Mapson became pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where he pastored 51 years until his retirement in 1998. Rev. Mapson led the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in erecting a new, 1,200-seat worship and education facility in 1959 and a 232-unit low and moderate income housing complex in the late 1960s. In 1970, he was appointed by the Governor of New Jersey as Chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board. He also served in numerous other religious and civic positions during the course of his life.
Upon his retirement, Rev. Mapson and his wife moved to Jacksonville, Florida and united with the Dayspring Baptist Church, then under the Pastorate of Rev. Moses Javis. At Dayspring, Rev. Mapson served on the ministerial staff and continued to preach from time to time until his health prohibited his active service.
Leaving to cherish his memory is his wife of 65 years, Georgia Taylor Mapson; children, Rev. J. W. Mapson, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA, Zaundria Mapson May of Jacksonville, FL, Paulette Mapson Hayward of Salem, NH, and Charles E. Mapson of Jacksonville, FL; daughters-in-law, Shirley Jones Mapson of Philadelphia, PA and Barbara Babb Mapson of Jacksonville, FL; son-in-law, Edward J. Hayward of Salem, NH; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; stepsister, Sara Venson Dent of Troy, NY and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.