Richard Willis Gilmore

Richard Willis Gilmore, a devoted husband, supportive father and a loving grand and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 3rd at Elegant Senior Living in Potomac, Maryland. Richard was the 5th of 12 children born on January 17, 1927 to the late John Vernon Gilmore, Jr. and Mary Willis-Gilmore in Athens, Georgia. Growing up, Richard attended school and helped his family on the land owned by his father where they raised pigs, chickens and grew fruits and vegetables. When he became of age he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army. After his time spent serving in the Army, he returned to Athens, Georgia where he attended trade school for barbering and brick masonry.

Richard worked as a barber in Athens and later moved to Greensboro, Georgia where he met the love of his life Mary Jewell Eskridge. Richard was the tall, handsome and distinguished new barber in town and Mary was the lovely, sweet and smart schoolteacher. Introduced by their boarding house manager, Richard was lovestruck and immediately began courting Mary. After a short period of dating, new opportunities in construction would take him up north to Washington, DC where his masonry training skills were put to use. He worked on many of the buildings still standing in Washington, DC today. Soon after, Mary received an unexpected transfer to the Cherryville, North Carolina school district where she was from and began teaching. With states between them, Richard and Mary had to continue their courtship miles apart through letters, phone calls and frequent visits.

Later, Richard and Mary would decide to permanently move to Washington, DC. On August 19, 1950, they made a commitment to love each other forever and they were married at Mt. Airy Baptist Church. Anyone in their presence knew that he loved his wife, as you would often hear him call out to her by her sweetheart name “Honey”. Not long after they were married, Richard and his Honey started their family and it quickly grew. Together they had five children. Richard was a respected, proud, and hardworking father. Not only was he a barber, and a skilled masonry, but he was also a masterful gardener of fruits and vegetables and a great chef. He enjoyed tending to his garden and harvesting the produce grown for meals. He definitely knew his way around the kitchen and enjoyed preparing mouthwatering southern style dishes. Everyone that came to their house enjoyed his food.

Richard was a family man and he loved to laugh and have a good time. During the summers when Mary and the children were on summer break from teaching and attending school, he would take them on road trips to North Carolina, Georgia and even Ohio. They visited with family and friends in the towns and places that he and Mary grew up as well as visited where his siblings migrated. Richard loved a good party. He enjoyed getting dressed up and accompanying his bride to her alumni cabarets. Spotting him was easy at these parties and not because he was usually the tallest in the room, but it was his megawatt smile shining bright as he enjoyed himself with his Honey and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his two sons Reginald Oliver Gilmore and Gerald Lamont Gilmore.

Richard leaves a strong legacy to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife of 70 years Mary Jewell Gilmore; two sons: Darrick J. Gilmore (Cindy), Eric W. Gilmore; one daughter Margo D. Gilmore-Reynolds (Kenny); ten grandchildren: Cinyon Reed (Charles), Taj Gilmore (Ayanna), LaReva Smith, Randy Gilmore, Lauren Washington (Brian), Rachel Gilmore, Jordan Johnson (Christian), Logan Gaines, John-Wesley Gilmore and Jamila Gilmore; eight great-grandchildren: Kiarra Gilmore, Candace Gilmore, Ethan Reed, Cole Reed, Dezerae Williams, Gabriel Washington, Liam Washington, Harper Johnson; one sister-in-law: Betty King-Gilmore; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Richard had an impact on so many lives, he will be missed. The fond memories we hold in our hearts will never fade away. We thank God for his life, love and friendship.