THE OBITUARY
Deacon Richard W. Wilson was born August 31, 1916 in Cumberland County, VA to the Late Rev. John H. Wilson and the former Mary Woodson. He was the youngest son of twelve children.
He attended Cumberland County public schools. Afterwards, he operated the family farm for over 40 years. During the Great Depression, he also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that built many of the state parks and scenic routes in the south-central region of Virginia.
At an early age, he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized into the fellowship of the Midway Baptist Church, Cumberland, VA under the pastorate of the Late Reverend Shelton Anderson. He was ordained a Deacon in June 1940 and later served as chairman of the Deacon Board for 40 years. He also served as a Sunday School teacher; Superintendent of the Sunday School; and was elected a trustee for several years. He was a long-time member of the Cumberland County Deacons and Trustees Union and was a regular participant of the Cumberland Sunday School Union and Cumberland Baptist Association of Middle Virginia until his health began to fail.
Deacon Wilson was known for his wisdom and counsel on Christianity and church affairs and was respected by many ministers, deacons and other laypersons from the surrounding churches. He was known for his fervent prayers that were most appropriate for the occasion. He was a esteemed resource for the history on the community and the families that lived in the area. He was also known for his sense of humor.
On September 23, 1936, he married the former Adell Trent. They were married for 49 years before she died in March 1986. From this union seven children were born. He is preceded in death by his wife and four children, Alonza, Earl, Pearl and Jerry.
He leaves to mourn: two sons, Deacon Richard D. Wilson (Evelyn) of Newark, NJ and John C. Wilson of Richmond, VA; daughter, Blanche A. Wilson of Newark, NJ; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Helen W. Payne of Newark, NJ; two daughters-in-law, Diane H. Wilson of Richmond, VA and devoted, Brenda V. Wilson-Walton of Farmville, VA; two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law; a great host of nieces and nephews, of whom many were devoted; many cousins, other relatives and friends; and four devoted caretakers, Peggy Ennis, LaVerne Williams, Tanya Braxton and Aileen Taylor.
