Robert Henry (Bob) Wainwright, 87, a longtime resident of Oxford, passed away at his home Friday June 14, 2019.
A native of Hampton, Virginia, he was the son of the late Harry DeWitt Wainwright and Sadie Scriminger Wainwright. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Betty Portwood Wainwright; three sons, Robert Bruce Wainwright (Myra), Morris DeWitt Wainwright (Marianne Powell), Brian Neal Wainwright (Martha Mann); a brother, Lee Wainwright (Betty); two granddaughters, Dana Wainwright Allen (Scott), and Bella Irvine. He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Laughlin; two brothers, John and Billy Wainwright.
He was a member of Oxford Baptist Church, Lions Club, Oxford Housing Authority, Area Congregations in Ministry, and Habitat for Humanity. He served with mission teams in Honduras, Prague, Romania, Germany, Ukraine, and Alaska and treasured the friendships made serving together.
He was a graduate of Hampton High School, Chowan College, University of Richmond, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He served 4 years in the US Air Force. He was Minister of Education at Smithfield Baptist Church in VA (3 years) and First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, NC (7 years). He served as Director of Missions for the Flat River Baptist Association (22 years).
Visitation will be held Sunday evening, June 16, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Eakes Funeral Home in Oxford and at other times at the home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday June 17, 2019 at Oxford Baptist Church by Rev. Chris Aho and Dr. Steve Bolton. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oxford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 398, Oxford, NC, or North Carolina Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief, 205 Convention Dr., Cary, NC 27511, or to the charity of choice.