Bro. R. J. Wilemon

BRO. R. J. WILEMON Tupelo - Bro. R. J. Wilemon, 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, September 15, 2012, at the Griffis Green House at Traceway Retirement Community after a lengthy illness. An Itawamba native, he was born April 25, 1929 to R. E. and Ophie Hood Wilemon. He was the founder of R. J. Wilemon Construction Company which began in 1957 and is now operated by his son. He developed numerous Tupelo area subdivisions including Wilemon Acres, Wildwood, Colonial Hills, Colonial Estates, Southern Heights, Country Oaks Estates, and was responsible for the construction of hundreds of residential and commercial properties. Bro. Wilemon surrendered to the ministry around 1960 and served several area Baptist churches prior to becoming a full time evanglelist. He was a member of Wildwood Baptist Church. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Bro. Doug Jones officiating. Bro. Wilemon's son, Pastor Dan Wilemon and Bro. Lewis Bridges, will assist. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Survivors include one son, Dan Wilemon (Debra) of Tupelo; one sister-in-law, Opal Wilemon of Aberdeen; two granddaughters, Shonda Houser (Keith) of Pontotoc and Shea Wilemon of Tupelo; his step-grandson, Brent Robbins of Tupelo; three great-grandchildren, Jason, Emma Kate, and Gavin Houser and a host of neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Ruth Cannon Wilemon, who preceded him in death March 29, 2012; three brothers, G. L., Fray and Ralph Wilemon; two sisters, Elsie Dulaney and Varie Gross. Pallbearers will be Keith Houser, Criss Armstrong, Clay Armstrong, Cory Armstrong, Dale Wilemon and Ernie Wilemon. Special honorary pallbearers will be Jason, Emma Kate and Gavin Houser. Honorary pallbearers will be his pastor and evangelist friends and their wives. Visitation will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 17, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Wildwood Baptist Church, 2280 West Jackson Street, Tupelo, MS 38801.