JANUARY 25 – John Ray Wilkerson Sr., 81, of Farmville, retired minister/chaplain and owner/operator of a heavy equipment and trucking company, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Charlottesville.

Mr. Wilkerson was born in Prospect, October 19, 1929 to the late Cliff and Judith Mickel Wilkerson. As a U.S. Army veteran he trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and served with the 802nd engineers in Okinawa. He worked with N & W Railroad for nine years and retired as owner operator of his heavy equipment and trucking business. His true passion was in ministry and preaching. In addition to serving as a chaplain at Southside Community Hospital and minister at Woodland and Mt. Taber Methodist churches, he was often called upon to fill the pulpit at other area churches.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie D. Wilkerson of Farmville; sons, John R. Wilkerson Jr. and wife, Goldie of Prospect and Steven G. Wilkerson and wife, Beth of Danville; step-son, John Dowdy Jr. and wife, Janice of Hixburg; sister, Lois W. Johnson of Prospect; grandchildren, David Williams, Mark Wilkerson, Ryan Arnold, and Carolyn Wilkerson; step-grandchildren, David Scruggs and Joy Marie Martin; great-grandchildren, D.J., Sydney and Olivia and one more great-grandchild expected soon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert T. Wilkerson.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 23, in Olive Branch Methodist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, served the family.

www.shorterfuneralhome.com