Letitia Nelson Wilkinson

Letitia Nelson Wilkinson, 90, of Richmond, passed away on February 9, 2006. She was married for 51 years to the late J. Harvie Wilkinson Jr., a prominent Richmond banker. Tish, as she was called, grew up in Culpeper, Virginia, the daughter of Lewis Porter Nelson and Caroline Shackelford Nelson. She graduated from Culpeper High School in 1932 and from Hollins College in 1936, where she fell in love with Shakespeare. In the summer of 1937, she took a job as a secretary in the Investment Department of State-Planters Bank, where she met and worked for Harvie. They were married on October 14, 1939, at St. Stephen's Church in Culpeper. Tish devoted herself to her two sons, to Harvie's career, and to her own favorite interests in gardening, travel, literature, tennis and the church. She and Harvie loved especially to entertain and be with friends. For 25 years she hosted an annual Christmas party, prepared with the assistance of her devoted friend, Daisy Hicks. Tish was a naturally happy person, and she will be remembered for the smiles and joy she brought to all who knew her. She is survived by her sons and their wives, J. Harvie Wilkinson III and Lossie Noell Wilkinson and Lewis Porter Wilkinson and Patricia Ann Thorp. She had three grandchildren, James Nelson Wilkinson, Porter Noell Wilkinson and John Lewis Wilkinson. She is also survived by two nieces, Caroline Penniman Wohlforth and Jane Wormeley Nelson; and a nephew, the Reverend Charles Frederick Penniman Jr. A memorial service will be held at St. James's Episcopal Church on Tuesday, February 14, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Fund or St. James's Episcopal Church.