Alvin W. Wilson

ALVIN W. WILSON

Educator, Entrepreneur, Proprietor,

Alpha Man, Family Man, Church and Community Leader

His Sunrise: October 24, 1945 — His Sunset: September 6, 2022

May the Work I've done speak for me. May the life I live speak for me.

May the service I give speak for me...When I'm resting in my grave, there is nothing that can be said.

May the work I've done speak for me.

On Tuesday afternoon, September 6, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, Alvin Webster Wilson quietly passed away. He was a lifelong native and resident of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He was born in Carrollton, Va., October 24, 1945, to Joshua W. Wilson and Lillian B. Wilson. For a great portion of his life he loved and lived on his grandfather Samuel Wilson and grandmother Nancy Wilson's farm. There, he stayed until his father and mother left the farm and moved into their new home on Mill Swamp Road. Accompanying them to their new home was Alvin's sister Helen. He had grown to love life on the farm! He shared with his wife Cecilia, that if he could have been anything in this world, he would have been a farmer. Unfortunately, farming was no longer a lucrative business in our area. That love of the outdoors, however, never changed for Alvin. Consequently, Alvin raised hogs on his own property until that venture was no longer lucrative.

Alvin was a graduate of Westside High School, Class of 1964. In his senior year at Westside, he served efficiently and effectually as president of the Student Government Association (SGA). He went on to matriculate at Virginia State University, from which he graduated in 1968 with a baccalaureate degree in biology and a minor math. From there, he earned his Master's in biology (M.S.) from Virginia State University and another Master's in educational administration (M. Ed.) from Virginia State University. He furthered his studies in administration at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., and was placed on the Superintendent list for the State of Virginia.

A little-known fact of Alvin's life is that he had a doctorate degree in administration. This degree was initiated by the Director of Human Resources, Isle of Wight County Schools, and certified by the Board of Education, State of Virginia. Being a man of humility, Alvin hardly ever spoke of this degree. He was not prideful or puffed up and would tell his wife Cecilia that he would "dig a ditch," if he had to in order to take care of his family. He loved his family and worked tirelessly to help see that their needs were met. Alvin was a husband, father, a grandfather and a great grandfather —four generations!

He was a Christian believer and a worshipping member and supporter of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Smithfield, where he served officially as member of the Trustee Board.

Civically-memberships notably included being a former member of the Board of Zoning and Appeals, IOWC; former member of the Board of Directors for the Hampton Roads Educators Credit Union, member of the Progressive Men's Club of Surry County, Va., as well as a dedicated and former member of the Isle of Wight County School Board, where he represented the Hardy district from 2015 to October 2021. And of course He was a member of Nu Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Therefore, Alvin's favorite poem was "If," by Rudyard Kipling.

Alvin was the owner of Alvin and Son's Barber Shop here in Smithfield. He spent more than 60 years in barbering. As the story goes...he started as a little boy cutting his grandfather Samuel's hair, and eventually advanced to cutting hair at Cuffey & Sons Barbershop at the age of 13.

He started his professional career in 1968 as a teacher of science at Newport News High School, Newport News, Va. He later sought employment with Isle of Wight County Schools., and started teaching science at Windsor High School in Windsor, Va.

Following his tenure in Isle of Wight County Schools, Alvin became employed with Surry County High School, Surry, Va., where he taught science and math. He was promoted from the role of teacher to that of assistant principal of Surry County High School. He was later promoted to the role of principal at Luther Porter Jackson Elementary School in Surry. Subsequently, he was promoted to the role of assistant superintendent, serving side-by-side with Dr. C. P. Penn, Superintendent of Surry County Schools. There, one of his duties was that of Director of Buses for the county. He retired from Surry County Schools in 2008.

Not being one to sit idly by Alvin sought employment in North Carolina. There he served as assistant principal at Hertford County High School for seven years, eventually retiring from the North Carolina School System in 2015.

Alvin was preceded in death by his mother Lillian B. Wilson in 2011 and by his father Joshua W. Wilson in 2022. He leaves to cherish his memory the following: His son, Alvin Webster Wilson, Il, His former wife and friend, Cecelia G. Wilson; a special mother-in-law, Julia Gatewood Keys: His sister, Dr. Helen Wilson Taylor, Seven grandchildren: Tajoneé Wilson Holmes; Chloé Webb Wilson, Jesikah Rene Wilson,Miah Morrisa Wilson, Dejah Renae Wilson, Alvin Webster Wilson, Ill, Jeremiah Webster Wilson, Seven great grandchildren: JuTajeé Daniyah Holmes, Justin Darnell Holmes, Jr., JuVonté Dupree Holmes, Juelz Daevion Holmes, Justis D'Amor Holmes; Ju'Kye Danyé Holmes, JuCina Desiree Holmes.His Nephew: Oneal Barry Taylor, Jr. (Caherine) and family. His Niece, Kathleen Taylor Godwin (Darryl) and family....Along with six aunts, two god-daughters and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

As this chapter of Alvin's life closes in the grand plan God anointed and set in place, we are thankful for the work he did, the service he gave and the life he lived, for the collective good and benefit of his community, his church, his students, his family and others known and unknown. His only hope was that as a faithful believer in his Maker, The Almighty, is this:

"When I stand before my God, I want to hear Him say well done! May the work I've done speak for me.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2pm Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Emmanuel Baptist Church 11150 Emmanuel Church Rd. Smithfield, VA 23430. Viewing will take place Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 2-5pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. The family will receive words of love and reflections about Mr. Wilson from 4-5pm. Mr. Wilson is in the loving and professional care of Shivers Funeral Chapel. Please keep the Wilson family and all those who know and love Mr. Wilson in your thoughts and prayers.