Dinah M. Oglesby

Dinah Maurice Wilkerson Oglesby, known affectionately as Maurice, left this earthly world on Monday, March 25, 2024, surrounded by her family at Sentara Obici Hospital. At the time of her transition, Dinah was 81 years old. A native of Smithfield, Virginia, Dinah was born on July 10, 1942, to the union of the late Junious and Agnes Wilkerson. She was the seventh of ten children and the middle girl of the couple’s three daughters. Early life for the family revolved around a shared love of God and music, leaving the family riddled with many soul-stirring gospel vocalists. Dinah often reminisced about her father’s mesmerizing tenor voice, and the later formed Wilkerson Family Choir, never failing to mention that she “didn’t quite get those singing abilities but that she could make a joyful noise nonetheless”. Dinah received her formal education at the Isle of Wight Training School. While there she honed a number of skills and interests: starring in the cast of the school play “Papa Says No!”, acting on the senior class committee alongside her classmates, and dribbling on the court as point guard for the women’s basketball team. Dinah graduated from IWT in the summer of 1961 and through the journey of her life kept in close contact with her dearest classmates and friends. Young adult life for Dinah brought on the joys of travel and exploration. Whether it was her brief stint in New York in 1960 or her years living and expanding her family in Germany, she never missed a chance to look back on the memories she made across the world and the friends that she made along the way. She truly never met a stranger. Dinah lived by the motto that “If I can help somebody along the way, then my living will not be in vain” and held true to Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going”. She served her community and church family with pride. She retired from Smithfield Packing in 2004 with 35 years of service. Co-workers and passersby remember her fondly for her stylish work-attire and her hospitable nature. The day was made when Ms. Dinah arrived with her homemade cakes, pies, breakfast and lunch sandwiches in tow. In the early ‘90s Dinah decided that she would use education as a means to further her service to the community. It was then that she enrolled and graduated from Paul D. Camp Community College, receiving her license as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She cared for elder members of the community under this capacity for years after her official retirement and well into her own elder years. A proud member of Mt. Tabor Church of God in Christ, Dinah served her heavenly father and his people with humility and fervor. She was a church trustee, member of the mother’s board, hospitality worker, and never missed a chance to act on a committee, spearhead an event, or rally attendees from far and wide. Dinah Maurice Wilkerson Oglesby is predeceased by her parents Junious and Agnes Wilkerson, and her siblings Violet Smith, Beatrice Joyner, Hezekiah Wilkerson, Raymond Wilkerson, Junious Wilkerson, Wesley Wilkerson, Robert Earl Wilkerson, and Pinkie Davis. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Joe Oglesby; her two children Charles Henry Gray III (Ramana) and Yolanda White (Reginald); her brother Everett “Mack” Wilkerson (Pamela); her three granddaughters Nouri Gray, Bria Gray, and Mya White; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Dinah M. Oglesby

July 10, 1942 - March 25, 2024