RICHARD WILKES
Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 17, 2009
HURRICANE, W.Va. — Richard Edwin Wilkes, 69, of Hurricane, W.Va. went home to be with his Savior on Oct. 15, 2009 after a brief struggle with cancer.
Richard was born in Chesapeake on July 18, 1940 to Maxine and Bernard Wilkes. His father preceded him in death.
He was a graduate of Chesapeake High School, Lincoln Memorial University, Marshall University and West Virginia University.
Richard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Beverly Gayle Chapman Wilkes, son and daughter-in-law, Deron and Trish Wilkes of Hurricane, daughter Joy Wilkes of Huntington, son Richard Neil Wilkes of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, son Corey Wilkes of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, son Daniel Wilkes of Gainesville, Va., and daughter and son-in-law Julie and Ron Fouts of Gahanna, Ohio.
He loved dearly and enjoyed spending time with his eleven grandchildren. He leaves behind Emily and Lydia Waybright, Tiffany Brown, Iris, Eden, Clark, Violet, Lavender and Neil Fouts, Landon Wilkes and Keiren Wilkes. Richard is also survived by his mother, Maxine Sites Wilkes of Chesapeake and his sister and brother-in-law, Linda Lou and John “Pete” Jeffers of Chesapeake. Other survivors include several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Richard received his license to preach from Rockwood Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake in 1968 and was ordained into the ministry by the Teays Valley Missionary Baptist Church in 1975. Richard served as the pastor of Naomi Missionary Baptist Church in Quincy, W.Va. for 34 years.
He was a retired educator for 43 years after teaching in Kanawha and Mason counties. Richard was also a mathematics supervisor for the West Virginia Department of Education for 14 years and serves as adjunct faculty at Marshall University, West Virginia University, West Virginia State College and the West Virginia Institute of Technology. After his retirement, Richard taught at Covenant School as well as privately where he continued to touch and change the lives of many children.
Richard was inducted into the Chesapeake High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Lincoln Memorial University Hall of Fame in two sports.
He also received numerous teaching awards including the 1992 Distinguished Teachers Award from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff of the Hubbard Hospice House.
Funeral services for Richard will be held Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Teays Valley Missionary Baptist Church, 3926 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, W.Va., with Brother John White officiating.
Friends may visit Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, W.Va. from 5-9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., West, Charleston, WV 25312.
Anyone wishing to leave an online condolence or memory may do so at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com