Valerie B. Wikoff

Valerie died peacefully Sunday, March 25, 2012 at home after a life well-lived. She was preceded in death by her first-born son Billy; her parents, James L. and Bertha R. Brown; her husband, Fred C. Wikoff, Jr.; and her sister, Margaret Levan.

Val was born in Kershaw, SC and spent her first 18 years there. She attended Business College in Columbia while living with several families, helping them with their homes and their children. Moving to the Charlotte area after marrying Jim Connor, she graduated from King’s Business College and worked for Shepherd Lumber Company and Fiberglass Corporation. Val gave birth to four children, Billy dying at birth, then Cheryl, Chris, and Jay. She later married Fred Wikoff, Jr. and adopted his two children, Steve and Chris. Steve said, “Mother was the best thing that ever happened to dad.”

Beauty and vitality, honesty and hard work, love of learning, and love of friends and family were her hallmarks. Honesty and hard work came through her words and actions, whether talking with one of her children or helping build Fred’s business, Wikoff Color Corporation, tending to her flowers or cultivating vegetables often shared with her friends and family. Valerie felt strongly about nurturing our earth and our health. She loved reading and learning, adding to a store of wisdom and knowledge which she shared along with books from her overflowing library.

Love for her friends was a special joy. They loved tennis, bridge, and fellowship, enjoying a lifelong, cherished closeness that spanned years of laughter, passages, and celebrations. It was with her friends that Valerie could relax and be most fully herself.

Love of family is her greatest legacy. Valerie just loved being with her family and always enjoyed hosting or attending the many family gatherings over the years. Although Valerie was not always a church goer, she exemplified the character of God to those around her. Her honesty, directness and sharp wit, her love of music and ability to create beauty, her commitment, compassion, and unconditional love were steadfast. She reflected her light out to all and it was returned.

Valerie is survived by her brother, James L. Brown, Jr. and his wife Nancy; her four children: Cheryl Sprole and her husband Greg of Hiddenite NC, Chris Teat and her husband Jim of Charlotte, James Connor, Jr. of Waxhaw NC, and Steve Wikoff and his wife Cynthia of Southlake TX; her grandchildren, Josh, Sarah, Liselle, Jasmine, Jessica, Alexandra, and Samantha; and her great-grandchildren, Dalton, Reese, and Emerson.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Compassionate Care of Charlotte. Love and gratitude to Sherri, Debra, Irina, Dollie, Angie, and all others who gave such fine and loving care for five years.

A memorial service to celebrate Val’s life will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in the Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited immediately after the service to gather at the home of Jim and Chris Teat, 2327 Hopedale Avenue, which is right across the street from the church. A private interment will be at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any Democratic candidate, to the Humane Society, Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.