Loretta Rose Wilkinson, 93, of Festus died Aug. 12, 2019, in St. Louis. Mrs. Wilkinson was a retired custodian for the Fox School District. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Festus and its Prime Time Senior Adult Group, where she was known for her chicken and dumplings recipe. Born Dec. 16, 1925, in Bollinger County, she was the daughter of the late Retha Bernetta (Schrum) and Marvin Jesse Mills. She was preceded in death by her husband: Lloyd S. “Bill” Wilkinson.
She is survived by four sons: Henry (Wanda) Wilkinson of Arnold, Ted Wilkinson of Clarksville, Charlie Wilkinson of Festus and Tom (Rhonda) Wilkinson of Riley, Kan.; three daughters: Betty Ciolek of St. Louis, Ruth Grieshaber of St. Joseph and Nancy (Terry) White of Indianapolis, Ind.; a daughter-in-law: Charleen Wilkinson of Iantha; a brother-in-law: Norman Marsh of Kentucky; a sister-in-law: Stella Wilkinson Parsons of Granite City, Ill.; 21 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son: Billy Ray Wilkinson; three brothers; six sisters; and a daughter-in-law: Janet Wilkinson.
A funeral service was held Aug. 17 at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Fredericktown. Burial was in the Marcus Memorial Cemetery in Fredericktown. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus.