Lake Norman Publications

Denver postal worker killed in storm




by Kerri Hughes

DENVER – A U.S. Postal Service worker was killed Saturday, June 20, while she was delivering mail in Denver.

Lisa Rudisill Wilkerson, a 43-year-old Denver native, was on Norman Court off Lakeshore Road North when a thunderstorm caused a large tree to fall on her post office vehicle, pinning her inside. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident took place in front of U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry’s Denver home.

“While visiting family out of state, I received word from neighbors of this tragic accident. Giulia and I are beyond devastated. We are praying for the victim and her family as they mourn their loss,” he said Saturday.

Wilkerson was a hard worker and well-loved.

“She was a giving person, and she has always been special,” Julian Rudisill, Wilkerson’s father, said. “Anything that she would set her mind on doing, she would give it a 110 percent. You couldn’t ask for a better child or friend.”

The Denver community has responded greatly to Wilkerson’s passing, he said.

“The community really has been super,” Rudisill said. “People have brought more food in than we could possibly eat. People have really been gracious.”

The Denver Postal Service Office was unable to comment, but spokeswoman Monica Coachman said they want to extend their condolences to the family and the community. The post office has provided and offered counseling services to Wilkerson’s fellow employees and family members.

“Our focus now is to ensure that we are doing all we can for those employees and what the postal service is able to offer the family of our lost postal employee,” Coachman said.

Wilkerson’s family is still dealing with the loss and is grateful to everyone for the support they’ve seen.

“We’ve always cherished our children, and I’ve always felt like the parent should leave before the kids do,” Rudisill said. “It was a freak accident, and I really can’t come to terms with that yet. But she was a loving daughter. She raised two kids on her own. She worked every day. She was dependable, helpful and she always put others before she did herself. She was just a remarkable person.”

A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 23, at Amity Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Sanders and Pastor Jeff Kincaid officiating.

Wilkerson is survived by her husband, Eddie Wilkerson; a daughter, Jessica Ann Shumaker Legursky and husband, Justin, of Maiden; a son, Jarrod Shumaker of Denver; two sisters, Julie Rudisill Hedrick and husband, Shannon, and Claudia Rudisill Hastings and husband, Kenneth, all of Denver; one grandchild, Aiden Lee Legursky; two nieces, Allison Hedrick and Gracie Hedrick; nephews, Brody Hastings and Luke Hastings; stepdaughter, Christina Moore and husband, Preston; and stepson, Joshua Wilkerson.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Lincoln County, P.O. Box 23, Lincolnton, NC 28093.

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