John Robert Wilson, child of God, beloved husband, Daddy and Papa, brother and friend, joined Jesus in Heaven on Feb. 24, 2026, because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Born on May 14, 1946 to Paul Wilson Sr. and Blannie Wilson, John was the sixth of 10 children. His childhood was defined by faith in God, love of family, and a strong work ethic which centered around farming.
John and all the Wilson children attended Ellerbe schools, and it was at Ellerbe High School that he met the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Catherine Sanders Wilson. John and Cathy graduated in 1965. John was drafted to Vietnam shortly after and honorably served our country from 1966 to 1968. While he was sad to leave his family behind, it was fitting for him to serve, as he was committed to God and country, values which defined him until he took his last breath.
Once John returned from Vietnam, he and Cathy were married at the First Baptist Church of Ellerbe on Sept. 22, 1968. John and Cathy had two daughters, Allison and Amy, who thought their Daddy hung the moon. Shortly after their marriage, they built a home on the outskirts of Rockingham and lived there until he went to Hospice Haven one week before his passing.
Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, John worked for CSX Railroad until his retirement, making friends for generations and embracing those friendships. He had many funny stories of good times that were had while hard work was being done. John was an avid basketball and softball player. His height and size gave him the nickname of “Big John,” and he was a force to be reckoned with. He was “all business” on the court or field, but just a loving gentle giant when the game was over.
John was a member of Roberdel Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, choir member, and in many other roles. As volunteers in the youth ministry, he and Cathy enjoyed trips to Ft. Caswell, ski trips, and mission trips. Annual trips with their church family to Candlestick Retreat in Minneapolis, North Carolina, were very special to John and Cathy. They began faithfully attending First Baptist Church of Hamlet, when their daughter, Allison, was called there as pastor.
John and Cathy loved their community, and all their relationships with so many people through the years. John was always the labor behind Cathy’s, and eventually Amy’s campaigns, putting up signs, working the polls, or doing whatever needed to be done.
John is survived by his two daughters, Dr. Allison Farrah and her husband, Butch Farrah, and daughter, Judge Amanda (Amy) Wilson Dawkins and husband, Travis Dawkins. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mary Catherine Coltrane, who was her Nana’s namesake and the light of her Papa’s life, and John Wilson (Will) Dawkins, Johns’s namesake and his best friend. Will has lived with him for the past two years, and they made many precious memories during this time that will be cherished forever. Will’s daughter, Malana, was the joy of her great-grandfather’s world. John is also survived by bonus grandchildren Matt Farrah (Edie) and Olivia Farrah (Sam Muse), Paige Dawkins Coulthard (Alex) and Ben Dawkins (Carly), as well bonus great-grandchildren Weslynn, Ella and Nora, who, along with Malana, make up the beloved “girl gang.”
He is also survived by four sisters, Linda Wilson Garner, Helen Wilson Randall (Harvey), Sara Wilson Johnson (Jim), Rachel Wilson; and sister-in-law, Betty Wilson; as well as many special nieces and nephews.
John is predeceased by his precious wife, Cathy, whose picture he kissed every night; his parents; his brothers, Lawrence Wilson and Paul Wilson Jr., as well as sisters Barbara Wilson King, Jeanette Wilson Gardner and Mary Wilson Collins.
John and Cathy loved their places at the beach, gathering at the Wilson family “Country House,” church and community activities, and being on the front row of all of Mary Catherine and Will’s activities through the years.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church of Hamlet on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at noon with Dr. Allison Farrah, the Rev. Butch Farrah, and the Rev. Paul Hill officiating.
The family will receive visitors on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham and at other times at the Wilson residence.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Hamlet (PO Box 906, Hamlet, NC 28345), Richmond County Hospice (1119 N. U.S. Hwy 1, Rockingham, NC 28379), or Roberdel Baptist School Building Fund (1118 Richmond Road, Rockingham, NC 28379).
There are no words to express our thanks to John’s caregivers who, along with Allison and Amy, made it possible for him to remain in his beloved home until the very end: Elaine Huckabee, Melinda McLendon, and previously Joann Wilson, Kim Blake and Patsy Taylor; and for the compassionate care John received by Richmond County Hospice.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Wilson family.
