David Joe Wysor

David Joe Wysor was born on April 10, 1951, just 30 minutes before his twin Donna Marie.  His father Joe Ralph Wysor was serving his country in the Army in South Korea.  His mother Alice Marie Mullins Wysor was living with Joe’s parents - Beulah May Jackson Wysor and Vernie Clyde Wysor in Bluefield, Va. Alice and Joe knew they were having twins and wrote letters about what to name the children - among those not chosen were Harold Dean and Geraldine. 

David, Donna, Alice and Joe moved to Kingsport, Tennessee where Joe worked building houses for his uncle as a plasterer.   He built the home where his growing family lived and a house for his beloved maternal grandmother Althea Jackson (Mommy Jackson). Nikki Anne Wysor Rice, Jack Edward Wysor and John Paul Wysor were all born during the 4 years this young family lived in the Tennessee mountains.

 It was off to New Orleans for 4 years before moving to Gaston County, NC where David and his siblings attended school and graduated from Belmont/South Point High School.  David attended East Carolina University while Donna went to Western Carolina. They shared a special lifelong bond until Donna died in 2013, and David always kept many pictures of his twin. Donna and Freddie Leatherman’s daughter Lisa Anne Leatherman  married Archie Cameron, and their 4 children, Silas, Gavin, Amelia Grace and Tucker, live in Belmont and were a great joy to David. He loved to come over on Sundays with a delicacy for the family to try. 

David’s artistic ability led him to pursue an art degree in college, after which he moved to New Orleans. There he worked on offshore oil rigs for several years in the Gulf of Mexico and eventually in the Red Sea, based out of Cairo, and the South Pacific, based out of Singapore, though he said he spent more time in Bangkok than Singapore.   When David returned to New Orleans he made friends with a jeweler and by helping him in his studio began to learn jewelry design. David eventually began his own line of jewelry and became  an acclaimed and award winning designer, selling several pieces to Elizabeth Taylor.

David  moved to Philadelphia to be closer to major markets and hone his skills before moving to Lake Wylie, SC. His business and his family were his life.  He enjoyed his nieces and nephews – Lisa and Archie Cameron and their children, Silas, Gavin, Amelia Grace and Tucker; Jack’s sons Jeffrey, Jody and his wife Carrie and their children, Sam, Will, Lucy, Jack and Madison; Nikki’s children, Jessica, Allison and John  his wife Cassie and their two children Jack and Cora. 

David was the quintessential Southern gentleman, always charming, making everyone feel as if they were the center of the universe. He never met a stranger, was smarter than most and more talented than most but remained humble. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Memorial/celebration of life will be Friday, May 19th from 5-7 PM, 708 South Point Road in Belmont. Everyone is welcome to bring stories and tributes to share. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

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