John H. Wimberly

John H. Wimberly was born in Camilla, GA on February 9, 1937. He attended schools in Miami, FL and enlisted in the US Army upon graduation. Amongst many other occupations, he was a PVTA driver for Hulme’s Transportation Services. John loved basketball, baseball, and football and had a special love for the Miami Dolphins. John was known for always having a nice car and keeping it in immaculate condition. He was also known for keeping the cars of others in the same condition. John had an immense love for music and loved to sing and produce songs. He was self-taught in both guitar and keyboard and taught many other local instrumentalists to play. He started two groups, the Springfield All-Stars, and The Motivators. John was awarded the Smithsonian Award of Folklore in Washington, DC and was gifted with a citation by the State Representative in 1989 for his work with his music group, The Motivators. John was also a devout Christian and was the first Deacon to ever be ordained by his brother-in-law, Rev. Andrew Daniels.

Left to mourn his passing is his wife of 46 years, Frances Wimberly, his daughter Tasha Wimberly of Springfield, MA and his son Aubrey Jeffers, his siblings Virginia Wimberly, Dollie Wimberly, Loretta Wimberly of Miami Fl, and Minnie King of Tampa Fl, and brother Ulysses Wimberly of Atlanta GA.

He is also survived by his step children Walter Cisero (Lena), Edward Cisero (Bonnie) both of Springfield, MA, Lorenzo Cisero of Marietta, GA., Terrie Holly (Kevin) and Bobby Allen, both from Springfield, MA., and his adopted Grand-daughter Shawnta Brewster of Springfield, MA . He also leaves over 46 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and close friend Ivy Careswell of Summerville, SC.

He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Mary Ruth Wimberly of Camilla, GA and son Shondu Allen of Springfield, MA, as well as siblings Henry Wimberly, Ollie Wimberly, JW Wimberly, Mary Wimberly, Rufus Wimberly, Willie Wimberly of Miami, FL., and his step-sons Charlie and Johnny Cisero.

John will be remembered for his unique riffs with his vocals and on the guitar, and for his love for his friends, family, and God.

A viewing for John H. Wimberly will be held on Monday, June 17th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at the Shiloh Community Pentecostal Church, 91 Jasper Street, Springfield, MA., followed by his burial at 2:00 PM, at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we encourage you to share your memories and upload photos of John H. Wimberly to the memorial page. Let us celebrate his life and keep his spirit alive in our hearts, for as Maya Angelou wisely said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." And John H. Wimberly made us all feel loved.