Willena Bracewell Wilkes

Willena Bracewell Wilkes, age 88,  went home to be with the Lord, “When the roll is called up yonder” on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Southland Nursing Home in Dublin, GA.

A native of Laurens County, Mrs. Wilkes was born August 21, 1931. She was the beautiful daughter of the late Bobby Bracewell and Hessie Cox Bracewell. She was married to her loving husband, the late Cecil David Wilkes, a decorated World War II veteran. After many years as a homemaker, she worked at Oxford Manufacturing in Dublin, GA, working in Quality Control. She later worked at Wal-Mart in Dublin. Mrs. Wilkes was a devoted member of Springdale Baptist Church and dedicated her entire life to her church.

She was well known as a “Master Gardener” of roses, crepe myrtles, trees and many other flowers and plants. She very deeply loved her family and friends and would look forward to visiting them and carrying them flowers whenever possible or needed. Willena was also known as a “teacher” especially to her three sons. Dave, Mike, and Jeff learned by the way she taught, the way she lived, and the way she loved the Lord. One of her greatest joys in life was found in doing for others. Eventually her three sons became educational school teachers because of her help.

Willena also was a Cub Scout Leader, Saxon Heights Baptist Church Sunday School Teacher, Sunbeam Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, WMU Director and G-A-‘s Teacher. She was also a Gold Star Wife and worked as a volunteer nurse at Carl Vinson V.A. in Dublin. Mrs. Wilkes will always be loved and remembered for her beautiful smile and blue eyes, as a strong minded Christian who loved the Lord with her heart, soul, and mind, and as a lady who dearly loved her family and friends. She loved Dublin, GA, the United States and especially the world created by God Almighty. She also loved the Georgia Bulldogs and was a Georgia Mom. She loved the song, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.

Willena was one of nine Bracewell children, with the only survivor Johnnie Mae Brack, the late Alonzo Bracewell, Wynell Benton, Lucille Wyatt, Pauline Glover, Bobbie Jean Robertson, Gail Schnurr and Monroe Bracewell. Other survivors to cherish her memories include her sons, William David (Wanda) Wilkes, Paul Michael Wilkes, and Jeffrey Wilkes; granddaughter, Stephanie Whitley; grandsons, David (Lura) Wilkes, Jr., Matthew (Brittney) Wilkes, and Blake (Amy) Wilkes; great grandchildren, Olivia Wilkes, Emma Wilkes, Gabriella Wilkes, Garrison Wilkes, Silas Wilkes, Christy Whitley, Michael Kronbach, Karsyn Jewell, Gracyn Jewell, and Ashlynn Wilkes. She also had a host of nieces. nephews, and cousins.

Services for Mrs. Willena will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Springdale Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Dublin Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00PM until funeral hour at the church. Rev. Sonny Wilkes and Rev. Paul Wilkes and will conduct services.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Wilkes, Blake Wilkes, Byron Wilkes, Clay Crumpton, Domanic Crumpton, and Johnny Bearden. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons at Springdale Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Springdale Baptist Church, 1701 Springdale Road, Dublin, GA 31021. 

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