Delcie M. Wakefield

Delcie M. Wakefield was born in Buffalo, New York on February 21, 1929 to James Everett and Delcie Musgrave. She died on January 11, 2022 in Daleville, Virginia.

Delcie grew up in Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri (Columbia) with a degree in education. At the University, she met Bill through the Baptist Student Union and they married in 1951, sharing a loving partnership of 70 years. Before beginning a family, she taught in a one room schoolhouse while Bill pastored and completed his college education. In 1960, Delcie realized her dream of becoming a missionary when she and Bill were appointed by the International Mission Board to develop a ministry to university students in downtown Manila, Philippines. Together they developed an innovative program to mentor and witness to students. Delcie applied her passion and determination to her mission work, becoming remarkably fluent in Tagalog. After she and Bill transferred to Singapore and later Richmond, VA, she was frequently invited to share her expertise at conferences for missionary women in numerous countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Most important to Delcie, however, was her calling as a wife, mother and grandmother. Delcie enriched her family in many ways. She excelled in cooking and made sure each birthday was celebrated with one of her beautifully decorated cakes. She loved to travel, spending time with family on many wonderful vacations, trips and family reunions. An avid tennis player, she and Bill became a formidable doubles team. After retirement, Delcie and Bill spent two wonderful decades in Bunn, NC at the “Lake House” that became the home and gathering place for their growing family of grandkids and great-grandkids.

In addition to her parents, Delcie was preceded in death by her brothers: Jim and John; and her sister, Ruth. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Bill; her children: Janice (Chacy), David, Philip (Jeanie), Andrew (Olivia), and Christopher (Patty); grandchildren: Amy (David), Kelly (Reza), Laura, Nathan, Claire, Rachel, Julia, Natalie (Sean), Allison, Ian and Timothy; and great grandchildren: Elise and Emerson.

A service of remembrance and celebration conducted entirely by the family will be held 1:00 pm, February 19 at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road, Daleville, Virginia. Delcie’s family will receive friends at a reception following the service. Masks are kindly requested for all in attendance.

Donations in Delcie’s memory may be made to the International Mission Board, SBC 3806 Monument Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23230; or to the William R. and Delcie M. Wakefield Scholarship Fund, Campbell University Divinity School, P O Box 4050, Buies Creek, NC, 27506 (Ph: 910-893-1849).

Service live stream may be found and online condolences may be made at www.rader-funeralhome/tributes/Delcie-Wakefield.

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