Earl Junior Wilcox

Earl Junior Wilcox passed away on March 11, 2013, at his home in Moncks Corner, SC, after celebrating 84 years of life. He was born on March 10, 1929 in Roberson County, N.C., to Evander Wilcox and Lillian Cribb Wilcox. Earl was the second oldest of 10 children.

He graduated from Orrum High School in Orrum, N.C., during which time he drove the school bus. After high school he attended Colmbia Commercial College in Columbia, S.C., where he received an Associate degree in Business; joined the Navy and served two years during the Korean Conflict.

After leaving the Navy, Earl married the late Delma Smith Wilcox Thompson and had two daughters, Marguerite Wilcox Kirby (Mike) and Linda Wilcox, both of Moncks Corner.

During this time he entered the Citadel Military College located in Charleston, under the G.I. Bill and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, Earl was employed by the U.S. Government Civil Service and retired with 33 years, counting his military service time. After retirement, Earl opened Earl's Auto Sales for the next 20 years. Earl was the engineer in charge at Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Georgia, where he met and married Ola Mae Owens. Together they have two sons, Earl John Wilcox and William Alexander Wilcox, both of Moncks Corner. They have been blessed with four grandchildren: Christopher Kirby, Catherine Kirby, Sarah Wilcox and Alexander Wilcox. Earl and Ola Mae were looking forward to celebrating 46 years of marriage in June of this year.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. He loved people, especially his family and grandchildren. He was an avid reader and loved to garden.

He was a member of Solomon's Lodge No. 1 AFM of Charleston, S.C. Earl was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on March 3, 1959. He served as Master of Solomon's Lodge No. 1 in 1965, 2001 and again in 2005. He wasa dual member of Old Fort Lodge No. 420 AFM where he als served as Master in 1997. He was coroneted to a 33rd degree S.R.M.M. on October 3, 2001, in Charleston. Earl was a past Grand Steward of the Grand Masonic Lodge of the Masons of South Carolina.

Earl also was a member of York Rite, Olde Charlestowne York Rite College # 13, the Joel Frampton Knight Masons, Past Watchman of Shepherds of Palestine Shring Order of the White Shrine of Brunswick, GA. He served as director of the Ritualistic Divan of Omar of Omar Center and a member of Lawrence Howell Court #7 Order of the Amaranth.

Earl and Ola Mae have several extended family members including nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at RUSSELL FUNERAL CHAPEL, Moncks Corner, S.C. between 5:00 and 8 P.M. on Wednesday, March 13. Services will be performed at the First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner on Thursday, March 14, at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow in St. John's Baptist Church Cemetery in Pinopolis. After the burial the family will be receiving friends and relatives in the Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church Decorating Committee, 112 E. Main St., Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461; or to Scottish Rites, ATTN: Speech & Hearing, 1501 Sam Rittenburg BLVD, Charleston, SC 29407; or to Amaranth Diabetes Foundation, c/o Darleen Timmerman, 831 Heather Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572; or to Omar Shrine Center, ATTTN: Greenville Hospital, 176 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464.