By Thomas Sellers Jr.
A woman who wore many hats, all were cloaked in the name of organization.
Lois M. Wilber garnered a reputation as a person of service through the Navy Wives Clubs of America and as the longtime director of the Millington Crisis Center.
On March 23, her term of serving her adopted hometown of Millington came to a heavenly conclusion at the age of 73.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rachel Malattia and is survived by her husband, Ross Wilber; daughter, Kara W. Barbero of Honolulu; son, Patrick J. Wilber of Covington; sister, Joyce Penunuri of Burbank, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
Also known for sporting a Hawaiian shirt, Wilber became the face of the Millington Crisis Center and the voice of the needy in the 38053 zip code. Helping to open the facility, Wilber developed a team and system to serve those who were struggling with finances, food and basic everyday functions.
As the director of the Crisis Center, Wilber spent many hours at 8133 Wilkinsville Road before retiring almost 10 years ago.
The typical schedule for Wilber at the Crisis Center back in the 2010s was Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Often with Patricia Warner (current Crisis Center director) by her side, Wilber did her best to organize donations ranging from food to clothes to electronics to job information.
One day in 2012 Wilber took a phone call she received quite often. Reluctantly Wilber had to inform a Memphis resident the Millington Crisis Center only assisted locals in the Millington zip code.
But she did assist the person with information about services in the Bluff City.
“When we’re talking about clients, of those 10 clients we see everyday, more than half are new,” she continued. “They’re seeking help with utility, rent, food and how do I find a job.”
Wilber sought to treat every person who entered the doors of the Crisis Center with respect as they dealt with a hard time in their lives.
Along with some financial counseling, a client would often get a spiritual boost, a hug and share a good cry.
“You have a macaroni and cheese budget, you can’t have prime rib and crab every night,” she said back in 2012. “That’s something when you come from a good job and you lose your job. When you find a job, you think I can go back to living the old way. You can’t, you have to rethink and start looking outside the box.
“More and more people are losing their jobs and not making it,” Wilber concluded. “People are trying to make it by working two part-time jobs. They can’t find one good job or a full-time job period. For those who have a job right now, you should be grateful. At a time like this, there are so many without. Just be grateful to have a job.”
Wilber was glad to dedicate most of her life to serving others, honoring those who served our country and calling Millington home.
