Rennie Louis Wilkins

OXFORD: On January 1, 2015, Rennie Louis Wilkins, beloved husband, daddy, PaPa, and brother passed away quietly at his home with his family close by. Born January 9, 1933, Rennie was the son of the late Charlie Edward and Ada Whitt Wilkins. He grew up in the Grassy Creek area and attended Oak Hill School. He enjoyed spending his time working in the tobacco fields and built his first pond on the farm as a young man where he lived. He was the Owner and Operator of Rennie L. Wilkins Clearing and Grading and earned his NC General Contractors License on November 20, 1985. For over 37 years he enjoyed fulfilling his dream of serving the farmers of Granville County by helping to beautify their farms with ponds, providing people with beautiful lots on which to build their homes, grading areas for ball fields at several Granville County Schools, and using his ability to clear areas to make safe areas for parking and building for commercial businesses. He also built the Butner Firing Range. A man of integrity with passion for his work, he dealt with his customers honestly striving to do each job to perfection. He also served as a member of the NC National Guard. A loyal member of Trinity United Methodist Church, he served throughout the years in many capacities. Rennie was also passionate about his family and leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 56 years, Eunice Mangum Wilkins, his daughters Donna Wilkins-Preddy (John), Bonita W. Tingen (Jeff), his grandson John Peyton Wilkins Preddy (Meredith), his granddaughters, Amelia Grace Preddy, Olivia Carol Tingen, and Reagan Elise Tingen, His brothers Roy R. Wilkins (Joyce), Willie F. Wilkins, Lawrence E. Wilkins (Rebecca) all of Granville County, his sister Lugene W. Powell (David) of Person County, and numerous nieces and nephews. His brothers Albert, James, Robert, and Junior preceded him in death A celebration of Rennie's life will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Officiating are the Reverends Lori Cox, Jack Ruth, and Bess Hunnings Smith. Entombment will follow the service in the church cemetery. Flowers are acceptable or memorials may be made to the Parking Lot Maintenance Fund of Trinity United Methodist Church and may be mailed to Faye Gentry, 635 Tingen Mine Rd., Roxboro, NC 27574. Visitation will be held on Saturday evening from 7:00-8:30 PM at Gentry Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home and at the residence at other times.