Dr. Keathen Al Wilson, Jr. was born on October 12, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the union of the late Keathen Wilson, Sr. and Estine P. Weston. Keathen was called home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2021. With our hands embraced, he kissed the morning sun, listening to the Song of Solomon.

He was christened as a baby and accepted Christ at a young age at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, East St. Louis, Illinois. He continued his faith in God by experiencing the beauty of Christian denominations and liturgies throughout his life.

Keathen attended Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. He graduated from Central State University in Xenia, Ohio, with a Bachelor’s in Economics, Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Master’s in Economics, and achieved his Doctorate in Management from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While teaching economics and other business courses at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, Keathen became Chair of the Business Department from 1995-2001, and then accepted the position as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs from 2001-2008. He was a NAFEO Kellogg Leadership Fellow in 2006, and a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute of Educational Management in 2003. Keathen’s financial knowledge and experience helped enhance his students’ business acumen across the country as he became a Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor, an Accredited Financial Counselor, and CEO of Noble Path Financial. He taught business and finance courses at other colleges and universities in his later years.

One of the most challenging and inspiring feats of his lifetime was speaking before the Virginia General Assembly to advocate funding for the predominantly black student population who attended the Moten School in Prince Edward County, Virginia. Keathen’s efforts were to help these students obtain their high school diplomas and degrees to enter the St. Paul’s College Adult Program. His request to the Virginia General Assembly was to remedy some of the injustices that were done when the Superintendent of Prince Edward County closed the entire public school system and opened private academies for only white students in an effort to force massive resistance to integration based on the Brown vs. Board of Education decision in the 1950’s. This was a continuance of Keathen’s work from his college years, where he took part in protesting for civil rights in the 1970’s, up to the present time, when he most recently marched in the Ferguson, Missouri, protests for the unjust murder of Michael Brown by police. Keathen was courageous, passionate, and willing to help those who were less fortunate than himself. He stood for justice and freedom.

He loved music, especially R & B, and was a self-taught pianist, guitarist, and a songwriter. He was his own unique person… one of a kind. He was very personable, professional, and helpful to many. He was a healer and Certified Reiki Master and used his skills to assist the community. He continuously encouraged his family, friends, students, and colleagues to reach their potential and live life to the fullest.

Memories will be forever cherished by his wife, Dr. Melvinia P. Wilson of 41 years; his mother, Estine P. Weston; two daughters, Dr. Dawn Wilson-Kendall and Kellee D. Love; six grandchildren, Hailee, Grace, Layla, Quinn, Mason, and Marques; two sisters, Charlotte Moore-Toomer and Crystal Weston White; one brother, Willie D. Arnold; two sons-in-law, Dante Kendall and Justin Love; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Grainger and Carol Patterson (deceased); four brothers-in-law, Henry F. Patterson, Jr., Richard Grainger, Kenneth Toomer (deceased), and Wayne White; two nieces, Truth Arnold and Justice Arnold; seven nephews, Edward Damon Smith, Eric Smith, Hezekiah Jones, Kadesh White, Kaleb White, Henry F. Patterson, III, and Chandler Patterson; seven aunts, Olivia W. Jones (deceased), Lee Annie Bonner, Lee Nora Adams (deceased), Bestine Tourijigian, Dr. Lillian A. Parks, Vivian Adams (deceased), and Thelma Adams (deceased); five uncles, Leeman Adams, Sr. (deceased), Elbert S. Bonner (deceased), Lawrence Tourijigian, Sr. (deceased), Alvin Parks, Sr. (deceased), and Andrew Jones (deceased); 16 first cousins, Emily Smith-Costello, Jacqueline Moore (deceased), Lenora Ann Cooper, Dwight Smith, Lindsay Tourijigian, Minister Leeman Adams, Jr., Dr. Lawrence Tourijigian, Jr., Sharon Adams, Janet Bonner, Atty. Valerie Adams, Alvin Parks, Jr., Joyce Adams, Lisa Adams, David Adams, Lauren Parks, Walter Adams, and other family, friends, and dear ones.

Keathen’s love for life and for his family permeated all of our lives. Although we will miss him every day, his legacy of love, guidance, and protection will continue to live within and through us forever.