Rev. Wilkes Dendy Macaulay

The Rev. Wilkes Dendy Macaulay, age 91, of Colfax, formerly of Asheboro, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, NC.

Wilkes was born in Seneca, SC on December 4, 1926 to Hugh Holleman and Josey Dendy Macaulay. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College and a Bachelor of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, KY. After his freshman year, he entered the US Navy during World War II (1944-46) and returned to Davidson where he graduated in 1949.

He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1952, and served churches in Dekalb, MS, Kenly, NC, and Prospect Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, NC. In 1966, Wilkes accepted a call to First Presbyterian, Asheboro, where he served until his retirement in 1987.

In addition to his parents, Wilkes was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Hugh Macaulay, Jr. and grandson, Andrew Lane. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Helen Alexander Macaulay; his dear sister, Joanne Macaulay Cauthen; daughters Pat Macaulay, Lib Ramsay (Lou), Joanne Corsbie (Chris), and Lucy Alexa Lane (Mike); son, Dr. Clay Macaulay (Pam); granddaughters, Helen Skeen (Thomas), Maggie Lankford (Lucas), and Carolyn Macaulay; grandsons, Burt Teachey, Alex Teachey, Wilkes Bass, Robert Bass, and Alec Macaulay (Mia); and 6 great-granddaughters.

He changed lives wherever he went, with his sunny disposition, easy charm, warm spirit, great stories, and his enormous heart. He always had a way of making everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. He would never talk about himself but always was genuinely interested in others. He was a man of humility and strength. He also had the courage to preach on difficult subjects including social issues such civil rights, an unpopular topic in his Mississippi church in 1954 and later in the 1960s.

After he retired he served as Parish Associate at First Presbyterian, St. Petersburg, FL and travelled around the world with the love of his life. He delighted his grandchildren early with his magic tricks (especially the magic mouse he made out of his handkerchief), singing, playing the marimba, and later with his adventurous spirit, rafting, swimming, playing games/cards, and taking them to Scotland. He was always curious about the world, staying on top of the latest technology for as long as he could. In his later years, even as he lost his sight, he continued his interest in learning, listening to books on tape particularly enjoying science, history, and his Scottish heritage.

As a father he taught his children and grandchildren the importance of kindness, loving one another, compassion, honor, respect, and decency.

Above all, he was a man of deep faith, a patient, kind-hearted human being, seeing the best in people, on a mission to share light and love with everyone who crossed his path and leaving a lasting impact on many. His eyes were his final gift for research in macular degeneration.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at River Landing at Sandy Ridge, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 3:00 followed by a reception at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Avenue, Asheboro with Rev. Brian Gawf, Rev. Dr. Art Ross, and Rev. Dr. Clay Macaulay officiating. Burial will be held at a later time in the Oconee Memorial Park, Seneca, SC.

The family would like to thank the staff of River Landing Retirement Community, especially the staff at St. Andrews and Muirfield, for their kindness and the care given to Wilkes during his time there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 420 W. Walker Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203; Prospect Presbyterian Church, 9425 West NC 152 Highway, Mooresville, NC 28115; or Presbyterian Homes Foundation Inc. for benefit of River Landing Resident Financial Assistance, 2109 Sandy Ridge Road, Colfax, NC 27235.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the family.