THOMAS WILKINS

On Thursday, July 5, 2012, God in His ultimate power saw fit to call His son, Thomas Wilkins, home to glory. Our hearts were deeply saddened with grief but we serve a God who doesn't error or make any mistakes. God gives us the courage and strength to go through whatever we have to go through in life's journey. Thomas passed away at The Design Favor in Richmond, Va.

He was born Oct. 20, 1948, in Petersburg, Va., to the late James Wilkins and Queen E. Wilkins. He was baptized at Gillfield Baptist Church at an early age, where he served in the Boy Scouts when he was younger. Thomas attended Peabody High School and later joined the United States Marines Corps. After serving his time in the Marines, he traveled extensively, living in New York, Virginia Beach, Va., and Newport News, Va. Thomas later moved to the Colonial Heights and Richmond areas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Wilkins; two grandmothers, Bessie B. Valentine and Ivy Wilkins; a brother, Floyd James Banks; a sister, Diane Miller; and an aunt, Nancy Richardson.

He leaves to cherish his memories: three sons, Thomas Wilkins and Darus Wilkins, both of Denver, Colo,, and Michael Wilkins of Hampton, Va.; a devoted brother, Jerry Wilkins (Jessica) of Newport News, Va.; stepsister, Marilyn Richardson (John); stepmother, Alma Wilkins of Richmond, Va.; three aunts, Betha Jefferson (Gilbert) of Sutherland, Va., Lillie Mae Hayes and Pecolia Thorpe, both of Dinwiddie County, Va.; four devoted cousins, Paige Harper of Petersburg, Va., Floyd Price Jr. of Indian Head, Md., Bessie P. Jones of Washington, D.C., Peggy Sherril of Memphis, Tenn.; devoted nephew, James Barkley (Shanita) of Bartlett, Tenn; devoted friends, Ronnie Pegram of Hopewell, Va., Dexter Hill, Harold Shaw, Herbert Taylor, Rev. Wesley Nicholas, Rev. Leroy Cherry, Alice Sydnor and family, the Shaw family, the Jackson family, the Tucker family, the Robinson family and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tommy, as he was affectionately called, will be greatly missed by his family and many friends because he was loved by many.

A funeral service will be held noon, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the chapel of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Leroy A. Cherry, eulogist. The interment to follow in the Amelia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia Va.

The family will also receive friends at 853 Augusta Ave., Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling 804-862-2290 or 757-753-9843.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Wilkins at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com .

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., 804-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com .