Elsie Marie (Brake) Wilkinson, 89, of De Soto died Jan. 11, 2026, at Friendship Village in Sunset Hills. Mrs. Wilkinson attended Ironton High School. She was a bus driver for the De Soto School District and transported hundreds of children during her 26 years of employment there. She loved to read and listen to classical music. She also liked true crime mysteries. Her faith was unwavering, and she made great chocolate chip and molasses cookies. Born Oct. 30, 1936, in Shannon County, she was the daughter of the late Earl Albert and Ossie Marie (Ledbetter) Brake.
She is survived by her husband: Lonzo Dewain Wilkinson; four children: David Jinkerson, Pamela Pigg, Melanie (Richard) Goldstein and Timothy (Kimberly) Jinkerson; two stepchildren: Deborah (David) Neavill and Dennis (Andrea) Wilkinson; six grandchildren: Sean-Patrick Jinkerson, Richard Jinkerson, Natalie (Corey Dodson) Pigg, Laura (James) Williams, Annamarie (John McCormick) Goldstein and Neil Goldstein; three great-grandchildren: Oscar Williams, Alexander Williams and Luke McCormick; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; a sister: Ruthie (the late Jerry) Applegate; two brothers: Howard (Wilma) Brake and Dale (the late Vivian) Brake; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law: Steven Pigg; a daughter-in-law: Mary Dean Jinkerson; and a stepson: Randy Wilkinson.
Funeral services were private. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.