Ernest Wilkinson
Ernest Malcolm “Mac” Wilkinson, Jr., age 96, of Covington, Virginia passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Brian Center in Low Moor, Virginia.
Mac was born on February 9, 1929 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Dr. Ernest Malcolm Wilkinson, Sr. and Addie May Johnson Wilkinson. He lived in Welch, WV until moving with his family to Pineville, WV in 1935. He attended Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, WV for two years before graduating from Pineville High School, Class of 1946. Mac attended Duke University and Concord College prior to graduating with a BA degree in Chemistry from the University of Richmond in 1950 and a BS degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University in 1951. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1953. After school, he served two years in the United States Army including a 16-month tour in Korea. Mac then joined the R. L. Persinger & Co. CPA firm in Covington and earned his CPA license. He was later transferred to the Galax, VA office for a few years before returning to Covington where he became a partner in the firm and served through retirement in 1994. Mac was a long-time member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the Virginia Society of CPA’s.
Mac was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Covington, where he was active on the church vestry and held various positions including multiple terms as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Finance Committee Chairman. Mac was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club, where he maintained membership for many years. Mac was instrumental in assisting with the formation of The Alleghany Foundation. He was an avid tennis player and golfer until late in life.
In addition to his parents, Mac was preceded in death by his first wife and high school sweetheart, Jeanette Holloway Wilkinson; his second wife, Tracy Burchette Wilkinson; a brother, Richard Warren “Buzzy” Wilkinson; a sister-in-law, Patricia Ann “Patty” Hayes Wilkinson; a nephew, Richard Ernest “Rick” Wilkinson; a step granddaughter, Sarah Boswell; and a special cousin, Nancy Lee Gum Smoot.
He is survived by two sons, David Wilkinson (Laura) of Richmond, VA and John Wilkinson (Lisa) of Kernersville, NC; a stepson, Chad Boswell (Hope) of Red Lion, PA; four granddaughters, Brooke Simmons (Chris), Paige Voss (Austin), Johnsie Wilkinson, and Olivia Wilkinson; a step grandson, Aaron Boswell (Katie); six great grandchildren, Lexi Wilkinson , Andon, Mason, and Sadie Simmons, Emmett and Maxine Voss; a step great granddaughter, Naomi Kincaid; and a nephew, Frank Wilkinson (Gina).
The family would like to express a special thank you to Tina Brown, who has been a longtime friend and valued caretaker for many years.
In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday December 27, 2025 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Covington with the Reverend Katherine Doyle officiating. Interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 709, Covington, VA 24426.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com
