The Rev. Dr. Overton Weldon Gilkes, M.A.; Th. M.; D.D

The Rev. Dr. Overton Weldon Gilkes, M.A.; Th. M.; D.D. of Kent Ridge, Christ Church, Barbados passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023.
He was born on October 20, 1933 in St. Peter to the late Christoforo (Sonny) Carmel Gilkes Mings of Havana, Cuba and his wife, Zeleka A. Benn Gilkes also deceased. He was brother to Mrs. Marcia Skeete and Mrs. Cora Small both of whom are also deceased.
Immediately after graduating from High School at age seventeen, he entered Codrington College, Barbados to train for the Sacred Ministry. He graduated in 1956 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Theology (with Honours) from the University of Durham, England.
He was ordained Deacon on December 21, 1956 and ordained Priest one year later in Barbados. He went on to become the first black vicar of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Barbados in 1957. Later, heading overseas to the United Kingdom, he ultimately served over five decades in the Ministry of The Anglican and Episcopalian Churches, leading congregations in five countries and more than ten churches.
A dedicated Educator, he was also the first Principal at Bishops College in St. Vincent (1963) and later became the first Principal at Calvary & St. Cyprian’s in the United States (1971).
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Hyacinth Gilkes, their five children, D. Francis Gilkes (w. Mergina), Simon Gilkes (w. Isabella), Elizabeth Swann (h. Raymond), Paul Gilkes (w. Tamara), Gregory Gilkes (w. Andrea), nephews/nieces – Jennifer Haynes (h. Wendell), Patricia Carrington (h. John), Patrick Skeete (w. Eartha), Steven Skeete (w. Junetta), grandchildren – Tamara Gilkes-Borr, Ashley Smith, Brandon Gilkes, Miles Swann, Kirsten Gilkes, Maya Swann, Arionna Swann, Dalton Gilkes, Bailey Gilkes, Rosemarie Gilkes, Aaron Gilkes, Lucas Gilkes and great grandchildren – Evelyn Smith, Jaxon Smith, Hudson Smith

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about, for I am your God. I will strengthen… I will uphold you.
Rest in Peace.

A service of celebration and thanksgiving will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at the All Saints Anglican Church in St. Peter at 10:00 a.m., followed by the interment. Flowers may be sent to Lyndhurst Funeral Home no later than 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The family invites you to view the live streaming of the service; to view, please click here.