Terence Ray Wilkes

Terence Ray Wilkes

January 31, 1958 ~ June 3, 2021 (age 63)

“Ray”, as he was affectionately called by most who knew him, was born on January 31, 1958 to the late Mr. Nora Lee Wilkes and Mrs. Bettie Bell Herron in Whiteville, TN

He attended Allen White Elementary School in Whiteville and graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1977.After high school, Ray immediately found employment with few businesses in the county, finally securing his career with Western Mental Health Institute in Bolivar. Because of his love for cooking and his superb work ethic, Ray quickly advanced to become the first African American Food Service Manager in the history of WMHI.

Ray accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as pre-teen a joined Simon Chapel Baptist Church in Whiteville where he was spiritually nourished and became a dutiful deacon. He later joined Mt. Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Bufford , where he transferred his deacon duties and also served as Sunday School superintendent and kitchen supervisor. When he petitioned the throne of God during corporate worship, the church would “burn’!
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Ray was preceded in death by his father; Nora Lee Wilkes: sister; Annette Wilkes: brother; Lee Nora Wilkes: mother in law; Opaline McBride and father in law; Robert McBride
On March 31, 1984, Ray united holy matrimony to the love of his life, his heartthrob; Ms. Christine Perry. Their union brought together four children: Vonda (Johnny) Garner, Mario (Neckie) Scott, Demetrick (Shay) Wellington, and Tammy (Michael) Jackson. A special daughter Pamela (Darius) Armour, 14 grandchildren Whitney (Brian) Long, Anthony, Amber, Marquiza, Christopher, Micah, Kedan, Addison, Shadericka, Demetrick II, Demetri, Landan, Kyree, and Bailey: 5 great-grandchildren.

He leaves and cherish fond memories to his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren: mother; Bettie Bell Herron: four sisters; Linda Gibbs, Sandra Jean Robinson, Faye (James) Selmer, Michelle (Wayne) Jackson: four brothers; Nolan (Serita) Wilkes, Burnette Wilkes, James Thomas Gibbs, and Darren (Delene) Price. A special aunt and uncle Leroy (Gladia) Perry, and host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and coworkers.

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