Clorasteen Scott Wilson

Sunrise, December 23, 1928 — Sunset, June 11, 2021

Clorasteen Scott Wilson peacefully passed away at the age of 92 as a happy, healthy, vibrant, funny, and loving woman of faith at her Minneapolis home on June 11, 2021. Clorasteen was born on December 23, 1928, in Lake Providence, Louisiana, to the late Clorasteen Russell Scott and Joseph Scott. 

After Clorasteen was born, the Scott family soon moved to Gary, Indiana, where she was raised and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Once married to her husband, James Holmes, they welcomed a daughter, Patricia.

Clorasteen and Patricia relocated to Minneapolis in Patricia’s early years with hopes for grander opportunities. Clorasteen eventually met Kenneth Wilson, who would soon become her husband. They joined their families as one, Kenneth’s three children Kathleen, Walter, and Beverly, and Clorasteen’s daughter Patricia, and had two daughters together Peggy and Kimberly.

Growing up in Gary, Indiana, during the Great Depression, Clorasteen understood the value of family and community service. She learned how to expand whatever resources she had. As her journey brought her to Minneapolis, she continued to grow and share her values in responsibility and community outreach. In 1969, Clorasteen was hired by the University of Minnesota’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program to teach nutrition, budgeting, and economical cooking techniques in the inner city of Minneapolis. 

Clorasteen and her husband Kenneth continued to enjoy life together and were complete soulmates. They created the perfect, loving balance for themselves and their family. They would often be seen keeping their home on the Wilson Corner pristine or dancing together at the Nacirema Club. She even helped start a club for her friends and their husbands, The Uniques and Club 15 who hosted dance parties, family picnics, and other group events.

Clorasteen also hosted monthly games with her bridge club. The joy and happiness could be felt around them. Clorasteen did all of this while also working at the U of M before retiring in January 1994. Unfortunately, Kenneth passed away in February of that same year. 

Clorasteen was a community member in the truest sense of the term and was actively involved in local and national politics, working for lasting change. She helped individuals and families, as well as members of Congress, senators, mayors, and countless others. With added support from the mayor’s office, the Boys & Girls Club of Minneapolis, Cargill, and others, Clorasteen spearheaded the development of The Kids Café, a successful after-school program for children to find joy in cooking and food while learning about the importance of nutrition.

Clorasteen was an avid and active volunteer and board member for many organizations including, but not limited to, 4-H, Way to Grow, United Way-Success by Six; Southside Neighborhood Housing Services, Southside Community Clinic, Alan Page Mentoring Program, Master Gardener Program for Parents & Youth; Minnesota Extension Services Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and Hosmer Branch Library Volunteer. 

Clorasteen was a Christian who truly loved the Lord. Over the years, she taught Sunday School and Bible Study at St. James Lutheran Church. Since 1988, Clorasteen was a long-standing member at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church as well as attending services across the street to engage in fellowship with the congregation at St. Peter’s AME Church.  

Clorasteen was a strong, caring, honest, and loving woman, full of knowledge, wit, style, and class. She took care in her words and actions and did everything with true intention. Clorasteen was a leader, mother,

 and friend who always exemplified style and grace. She loved to garden, golf, swim, and take long walks, especially around Lake Harriet and the Lyndale Park Rose Garden. She never grew tired of walking, she walked almost every single day. 

Clorasteen will surely be remembered and forever loved, respected, cherished, and sorely missed by the entire community, her host of friends, and most immensely, her family and loved ones. 

Clorasteen is predeceased by her husband Kenneth Wilson; her siblings Joseph Scott Jr., Harry Scott, Nora McMillian, and C.B. Scott; her daughter Patricia Holmes; her stepson Walter Wilson, her stepdaughter Beverly Morgan, and her granddaughter Kimberly Hannah. 

Clorasteen is survived by her daughters Peggy Jorgensen and Kimberly Wilson; her stepdaughter Kathleen Stanford; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. 

A memorial service and celebration of Clorasteen Wilson’s life will be held on Friday, July 30 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. S., Minneapolis. Visitation with the family will be held from 1-1:45 pm directly before a service and reception from 2-4 pm, both of which are open to all.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Clorasteen Wilson Black History Education Fund by contacting Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church.

Due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, a private burial service will take place prior to the memorial service.