Dr. Robert Gordon Wilkerson Sr.

He was preceded by his father, Mullins Wilkerson and mother, Lois Farrow, brother Dean Wilkerson, stepbrothers Michael Farrow and Jerry Wilkerson, stepsister Glenda Acton, and daughter Rebecca Imboden.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Bates Wilkerson; sons Robert Gordon Wilkerson Jr, and Alan Wilkerson; stepson Michael Morrow; daughters Beth Alldredge, Kathy Adams, Mary Christine (Chrissy) Wilkerson, all from the Birmingham, Alabama area, and stepdaughter Virginia Morrow Roberts of Denver, Colorado, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Robert was born on June 6, 1937, in Birmingham. He joined the Naval Air Force. Upon returning to Birmingham following his service, he worked in a steel plant, moving from union to management, and then the Lord called him to preach.

Following graduation from Samford University, he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, earning both Masters and Doctorate degrees in ministry. He pastored many churches in four states, serving in Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches during his fifty plus ministry.

He served as supply and interim pastor of several churches in the Birmingham area following full-time ministries in his later years.

In addition to pastoring churches, his employment included executive director of Fellowship House, dean of a business school, Baptist Princeton hospital vice president, and corporate vice president at Baptist Health System where he developed Galleria Woods retirement community, and senior housing facilities for low-income senior adults in eight counties of Alabama. While serving as executive director of Fellowship Village in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, he was responsible for development, construction, marketing, staffing, opening and day-to-day operation of a continuing care retirement community.

While writing for newspapers and magazines for over twenty-five years, he earned several recognitions and awards. He authored ten books. He often had articles published in The Birmingham News Opinion column and AL.com, with devotionals in The Blount Countian, and 8 other newspapers throughout Alabama.

His memberships and affiliations included, American College of Health Care Executives, and Administrators, National Council on Aging (past board member), Past chair of the Transportation Citizens Committee of the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission, member of Leadership Birmingham, past President of the Alabama Gerontological Society, past member of City of Pinson’s Planning and Zoning Board.

A celebration of life service for Dr. Wilkerson will be on Sunday, June 12 at 1:00 o’clock at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel. The family will receive visitors from 12-1 p.m. with burial in Elmwood Cemetery following the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the WILKERSON family.