Clara W. Wilkins

Clara Mae Wilkins died on February 6, 2010. She was born on September 20, 1908 in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Clara Mast Withrow and Charles A. Withrow. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Richard A. Wilkins, and her twin brother, Claude A. Withrow.

She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Sturm of Chesapeake, Virginia and Connie Etheridge and her husband Al of San Diego, California; two grandchildren, Richard Sturm and his wife Becky of Columbia, SC and Linda Sturm of Chesapeake, Virginia; and two great grandchildren Jay and Rebecca Sturm of Columbia, SC.

Mrs. Wilkins graduated from Maury High School in 1926 and attended Sullins College and the College of William and Mary. As a young woman, she worked for the New York Life Insurance Company. After raising her family, she worked as a civil service employee until her retirement in 1975. Her many community service activities included being a Girl Scout Director, President of the PTA at Bayview Elementary School and a long-time member and President of the Little Creek Women's Club. She was also a charter member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Norfolk.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home at 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 30 minutes prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's United Methodist Church, 2709 Greendale Ave., Norfolk, VA 23518.

The family is grateful to the staff at Lake Taylor Nursing Home for the kind and gentle care they provided to this kind and gentle lady. Woodlawn Funeral Home 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line at www.woodlawngroup.com.