James Lough Wilson

Jim was a United Methodist Pastor for 47 years, serving in Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., Clifton Springs, NY, Kenly, Wilmington, Wrightsboro, Raleigh, and Tarboro N.C.; and Fieldale, Annandale, Sterling, and Ridgeway, Virginia.

Through his deep Christian faith and devotion to Church life and community, Jim’s greatest desire was to help all people. His bold spirit of advocacy served so many. He was fiercely loyal to his beloved family. He was Parent, Papa, Partner, Pastor, Patriarch, Friend, and Farmer Jim. He lived with great optimism and included everyone in his circle of love and family. His oncologist wrote: “The world lost an old-fashioned great man, and heaven is the better for it.”

Jim is survived by his wife Juanita Smoot; sister Rebecca (Bud) Dolch, brother Johnny (Dansingtree) Wilson; and his children Megan (Alex) Lopez, Molly (James) Martin, Amanda (Jason) Lane, Josh (Nikole) Holliday, Justin (Alana) Hamlin, Alex (Lauren) Hamlin; Grandchildren James, Ian, Caroline, Hailey, Tyler, Wilson, Serapia, Eva, Lucio, Isaac, Alexander, Evan and Coleson; beloved nieces and nephews; good neighbors and friends.

Services will be Saturday October 22 at 11 a.m. at Ridgeway United Methodist Church, 160 Church St., Ridgeway, Virginia 24148 . Gifts in his memory may be given to the Church Memorial Fund.