Lovelle Wilkerson

Lovelle Wilkerson, age 81, of Leonia, Florida passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.  She was born September 18, 1938, to Hiram and Omie Helms Spears. She was the baby out of eight children.  Lovelle married Robert Wilkerson in 1956 after her cousin and his cousin introduced them.  Following her husband’s military years in the Air Force, they moved to Niceville, Florida where both were employed with a telephone company until both retired in 1993.  Upon retirement, their dream was to move back to her parent’s old homestead, in which they did.  She then began attending Leonia Baptist Church, the same church where she was baptized when she was eleven years old. Lovelle’s faith in God was very strong.  Her love for birds was obvious.  She enjoyed her caged-birds inside her home and the wild ones outside she fed. She enjoyed watching them daily.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Stuart; and four sisters, Lucille, Ruth, Flora, and Loretta.

Lovelle is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Robert “Bob” Wilkerson; one daughter, Angela “Angie” Rathel and husband Mark of Leonia, Florida; two grandsons, David Rathel and wife April of Los Angeles, California and Steven Rathel and wife Megan of Waco, Texas; two great-granddaughters, Mackenzie Faith and Sophia Grace Rathel; two sisters, Corinne Adams and Vivian Wilkerson; and nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Leonia Baptist Church beginning at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Rod Jones, Dr. David Rathel, and Dr. Mark Rathel officiating. A time of visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m.  Committal services will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to the Baptist College of Florida (development office) located in Graceville, Florida.

Those ask to serve as pallbearers:  grandson, Steven Rathel and nephews, Gary Bell, Ashley Adams, Hamp Yates, Leonard Adams, and Daniel Wilkerson.

The family would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for the loving care shown to Lovelle.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.