Marjorie Webster Wilkes

Marjorie "Sitty" Webster Wilkes, 81, died peacefully at home on Sunday, November 23, 2008. Sitty was born in Oxford, Mississippi on August 19, 1927, the second of eight children to her parents, Herman Dexter Webster and Byrd Haney Webster. Sitty spent her early years in Oxford where she graduated from the University of Mississippi and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She met her husband, Robert "Bob" Millender Wilkes, while they were students at "Ole Miss". Sitty and Bob moved from Mississippi to Austin, Texas in 1955 when they established a furniture manufacturing company, Swiftex, Inc., in nearby Bastrop. Swiftex, Inc. is still owned and operated by their daughter, Sharon Wilkes. Sitty was predeceased by her husband, parents, six of her siblings, and her daughter, Sara Webster Wilkes. She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Wilkes Brown of Palestine, Texas; Sharon Warfield Wilkes of Austin, Texas; her brother, Wade Paul Webster of Clear Lake, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sitty was active in many Austin civic, cultural and charitable organizations. She served on the Advisory Council of the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin and on the board of the Settlement Home. From 1961 to 1971, she served on the Austin School Board as secretary. Sitty was also active in Republican politics in both Travis County and the State of Texas. She fought hard to establish a good, strong, competitive second party in Texas. She served as finance chairman of Senator John Tower's successful senatorial campaign, was co-chairman of the "Travis County for Nixon" campaign, and was president of the Austin Republican Women's Club. She also enjoyed gardening and playing bridge with her many friends. The family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2531 Exposition Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78703; the Settlement Home, 1600 Peyton Gin Road, Austin, Texas 78758; or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at Tarrytown United Methodist Church. The family will welcome friends immediately following the service at Tarry House, 3006 Bowman Avenue, Austin, Texas.