Richard Wilson

Richard Darrell Wilson (affectionately called Dickie by family and friends) was born on November 18th, 1954 in Cape Girardeau, MO at Saint Francis Hospital. His proud parents are Martha Jean (Mason) Wilson and the late Ray Wilson. According to his mother, he was precocious as a child and quick on his feet. She has recounted many stories of having to discipline him the following day for his behavior, because he would run away, and she couldn't catch him (on the day of). This was probably just a sign of things to come, as it pertains to his sports career as an amazing track and field athlete.

Richard attended May Green School for his elementary years and showed signs of great promise as an athlete even then. By the time he matriculated into Cape Central High school, it was clear that he possessed a distinctive gift in track and field as a sprinter. While in high school, for 2 years of it, he only lost 1 relay race. Alongside his big brother, Steven Paul Mason, and some friends, he won Poplar Bluff Invitationals, Paducah Invitationals, Farmington Invitationals, Kennett Invitationals and Cape Girardeau relays in record fashion. He was also a district champion, sectional champion, and all-state performer. He still holds the record for the 100meter dash (9.7) at Cape Central High School!! He also ran a wind-aided 9.1 sec race in college, technically beating track legend Ivory Crocket, in the 1970s. Richard also qualified for the 1976 Olympics. He could have attended any college of his choice, but he chose to stay close to home. He first attended St. Louis Community College-Meramec, followed by Southeast Missouri State University. It was at SEMO, where he met his future wife Patricia (McElmurry) Wilson. They dated for a few years and then were married on September 22nd of 1979. This union produced four children: Corey Wilson, Latoya Wilson, Rashida (Janine) Wilson-Mejia, and Victoria Wilson.

1979 was a special year for Richard...not just because it's the year that he got married, but because it was also the year that he became a member of True Christian Pentecostal Witnesses Church (TCPW). Richard gave his life to the Lord, and under the leadership of the pastor, Apostle Shipp, he was never the same. Richard accepted his call to preach the gospel during this time and began to flourish as a servant of the Lord, while also flourishing as a faithful husband and father.

Outside of the church and ministry, Richard worked at several jobs during the years but had longstanding success as a skilled car parts and customer salesman for AutoZone. He worked there for almost 30 years before retiring in 2024.

He was later a member of Liberty Pentecostal Community Church, under the leadership of the late Elder Jimmy Randle. Once the ministry came to an end, he then joined Futtrell Memorial COGIC in Jackson, MO, under the leadership of Pastor Ollie Boyd. He was a faithful elder and assistant pastor for many years at Futtrell Memorial COGIC. He loved the leader and the people, and it was evident that they loved and respected him in return.

Life's journey would eventually lead Elder Wilson to Charleston, MO to Holy Trinity Church of Deliverance (later changed to Powerhouse Church of Deliverance). Two of Richard's children attended the church already and he was looking for a fresh start for fellowshipping, and he and his wife joined the ministry, under the leadership of the late Pastor Jesse McNeil. Richard was excited to serve in a ministry to be of help, and to attend a church where he could be with his children and grandchildren. When Pastor McNeil passed away a few years later, he was asked to be the next pastor there, and he accepted the call. He was ordained as the pastor in 2023.

Richard was a funloving, active and tenderhearted individual. He loved the Lord and he loved his family and friends. He loved studying the Word of God, but he was also balanced. He enjoyed watching movies, going out to eat, playing sports at the park and going on cruises in the summer with his brother-and sisters-in-law. He loved life. He was also a proud grandpa. He was so happy when he finally had grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: his father, Ray Wilson, his only son, Corey Wilson, two brothers, William Bradley Mason and Lawrence Swan, his mother and father-in-law, Herman McElmurry and Leanna McElmurry, and his aunt, Beulah Vann Perry.

He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Martha Jean Wilson, his wife, Patricia McElmurry Wilson, three daughters, Latoya Wilson, Rashida Wilson and Victoria Wilson, two brothers, Steve (Agnes) Mason and Jeffrey (Beth) Wilson, two sisters, Mary J. Brown and Constance (James) Harden, and two longtime friends of the family that are regarded like brothers, John Gary and Louis Jordan. He also leaves to cherish his memory his only daughter-in-law, Cassandra Ivy Wilson, and his grandchildren, Corey, Charisma and Christian Wilson, and his newborn grandson, Kaileb Merrell. He is cherished in memory by a host of family and friends.

Friends may call Friday, March 28, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:30 P.M. at Greater Dimension Ministries in Cape Girardeau with Apostle Robert T. Shipp, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau with the Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.