Reverend Dr. Eddie Robert Wilson Jr., was born to Eddie and Larina Wilson on December 14, 1930 in Boykins, Virginia. He quietly entered in eternal rest and peace on Monday, November 27, 2006 at Sinai Hospital with his wife at his side. At ten years of age , he was a newspaper boy,at eleven a shoeshine boy, and he became an apprentice for his master barber's license at thirteen. At seventeen, while still in high school, he operated his own four-chair barbershop in his hometown. In addition to studing art in high school through correspondence courses, he organized the first uniformed cheerleading squad, named the football team and was a letterman in basketball. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953 with the rank of sergeant. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he medditate day and night. Dr. Wilson accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age, aiming to serve the Lord with gladness. He is a graduate of Southampton County Training School in courtland, Virginia and the Virginia Seminary and college in Lynchburg, virginia. He holds the following degrees; Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Bachelor of Theology, a Bachelor and a Master degree in Divinity, a Doctor of Ministry Degree and a Doctor of Theology Degree. He also holds honorary Doctorates in Divinity and Literature and completed graduate coursework in Economics at the University of Virginia. At the Virginia Seminary, Dr. Wilson was an instructor and a field representative during the administration of the late Dr. M.C. allen. His teaching and counseling led students to affectionately call him ''Mr. Seminary.'' He was also Director Public Relations and the college security coordinator of the first summer program funded by the United States Government in Lynchburg and surrounding counties. In 1967, Dr. Wilson developed an Adult Education Program for Dr. M.C. Southerland, who was then the newly elected president. ''And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.'' On September 21, 1951, Dr. Wilson was licensed to preach by the Shiloh Baptist Church in Boykins, Virginia. In August, 1959 he was ordained by the Presbyters of the Bethany Baptist Association. Early in his ministry, he served many congrgations in the Virginia area to include New Bethal Baptist Church in Boykins, Virginia and Shiloh Baptist Church in Gray, Virginia. ISAIAH 6:8/ ''Who shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me.'' In April 1955, he was called to pastor the Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. Under his leadership, the regular worship services increased from three services each month to morning and evening worship every Sunday. During his administration, the church was renovated and serveral organizations were established which enlarged the total program of the church. In March 1959, Dr. wilson became pastor of Sharon Baptist Church in Big Island, Virginia. While at Sharon, many improvements were made and all church debts were paid in four years and ten months. After his successful stay at Sharon Baptist Church, Dr. Wilson was then called to pasor Mount Carmel Baptist church in Lynchberg, virginia in 1963. At Mount Carmel he instituted Bible classes and teacher training classes, a Gospel Choir was organized and a building was purchased for religious education. Dr. Wilson continued to share his leadership skills in ''Kingdom building'' when he was called to pastor the Historic Leadenhall Baptist church on March 1970. In 1979, Dr. Wilson along with the church's historical committee succeeded in getting the church placed on the Natioal register of Historic Places. Under his leadership, the church purchased ten houses in order to redevelop the land for furture projects. Because the membeship was growing, the church constructed three parking lots to accommodate it membership and mini buses were purchased to provide Transportation for elderly members and for other church business. Dr. Wilson's 36 years tenure was marked with many significant accomplishments to include; renovation of the main sanctary and the kitchen and restoration of the original brick to the front of the church. Beyond the physical improvement, Dr. Wilson was also instrumental in strenghening the spiritual base of the church through increased ministry participation. the following ministries were added to the ever-growing list of church organizations; the Community Eat Togather, The Senior Citizen Fellowship, the Noon Day Prayer and Praise Service, The Birthday Ministry, the Youth Courtesy Ministry, the Video/Audio Ministry, christian education institutes, a restructured youth department, and the Male Chorus was reestablished. Dr. Wilson was instrumental in helping Leadenhall maintain a strong presence in the south Baltimore area by establishing several outreach programs for community residents. In 1996, Leadenhall street was renamed ''Dr. Eddie R. Wilson Boulevard'' in his honor. Dr. Wilson was chairman of the Union Services during Holy Week, continuing the legacy of bringing 5 Baltimore churches together in fellowship and worship; Leadenhall, Mt. Moriah, John Wesley, Shiloh C.C., and Ebenezer A.M.E. He is the past president and tresurer of the National Alumni Association of Virginia Seminary and was interim president of the College and semiary in 1980. He also seved as Chairman of the Excutive Committee for the Board of Managers and Chairman of the College's Search Committee on three occasions. He is a strong supporter of the Baptist Age House, the United Baptist Deacons Conference and its Auxilies, the Laymen's League of the U.B.M.C. and N.A.A.C.P., the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Hampton Minister's Conference. In Maryland, he directed the Maryland Baptist School of Religon, an extension campus of the Virginia Seminary, for 18 years. In 1990, he organized ethe Maryland Theological Seminary and college. As the direstor of the Maryland Baptist School of Religion and as preident of the Maryland Theological School of Religion, he graduated 23 classes in Baltimore. I John 4:7/ ''Beloved, let us love one another: for love is God; and every that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.'' In June of 1953, Dr. Wilson was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Bertha E. Goode. Over the next 53 years, he lovingly called her ''Mrs.''. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson were personable first family. Although there were no children born to this union, the Wilsons were blessed with countless godchildren. The Leadenhall community loved Dr. Wilson and was gateful for his open door, loving-heart policy. He was a sincere man who would often be heard singing, ''I Know It Was the Blood'' . Giving was his passion; effective counseling, spirit-filled sermons, kind words, heartfelt prayers, financial blessings...The Christmas holiday was a favorite to him as he enjoyed celebrating the birth of his Savior, and showering his loved ones and church family with gifts. He leaves to cheerish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Bertha G. Wilson; his mother Larina Wilson Joyner; one brother, Dr. Douglas Wilson Alroy of Baltimore, Md.; one sister, Odell Wilson of Newport News, Va.;five brothers-in-law: Wilson Goode Evelon of Portmouth, Va.; Mathew Goode Martha of Bowie, Md.; Jack Goode of Chesapeake, Va.; Robert Earl Goode Carol of Fort Washington, Md., William Goode Hattieof Glenn Dale, Md.; seven-sisters-in-laws; Kathryn Walden William of Petersburg, Va.; Nettie G. Manley Jack of Chesapeake, Va.;Helen Jordan Johnnie of durham, N.C.; Mary E. Branch of Portmouth, Va.; Dorothy Vincent of Cincinnati, Oh.; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and the Leadenhall Baptist Church family.