Mr. McKinley Shoulders, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Suffolk, Va., entered into eternal rest Sunday, May 9, 2010 at CJW Medical Center-Chippenham Campus in Richmond, Va. He was born Aug. 28, 1927 to the late Roscoe and Lillie Shoulders. He leaves to mourn him: his loving wife of 57 years, Mollie Copeland Shoulders, of Richmond; and two devoted children, also of Richmond, Reginald McKinley Shoulders Sr. (Frances) and Sylvia Shoulders Wade (Horace Jr.). He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Cherishing his memory is one loving brother, Charlie Shoulders, and his wife, Gracie, of Aberdeen, Md., two brothers-in-law; Melvin Copeland and Ocie Copeland of Suffolk, Va., and two sisters-in-law, Ellen Copeland and Margaret Copeland, of Suffolk, Va., and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mr. Shoulders retired as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in 1968 after more than 20 years of exemplary military service. He served his country during the Korean conflict, when he was stationed at Okinawa, and during the Vietnam conflict, while he was stationed at South Vietnam. He received numerous decorations and awards. After his retirement from the Air Force, he served as an electronic technician at Newport News Shipyard and Drydock, Inc. for 20 years and retired in 1988.
Mr. Shoulders was a devoted member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va., where he served as a choir member and on the church’s steering committee. He became a watch care member at First Union Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., in 2007 upon moving to Richmond to be close to his children.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Crocker Funeral Home, 900 E. Washington St., Suffolk, Va. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 15, 2010 at noon at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 1656 Copeland Road, Suffolk, Va. The Rev. Horace H. Wade Jr. is the eulogist and the Rev. Ernest Simmons, pastor is officiant. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gethsemane Baptist Church building fund. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.