Charles A. Wilkins, Jr.

CHARLES AKERS WILKINS, JR., 75, passed away on July 18, 2015, at his home in Olive Branch, MS from cancer. Visitation will be held at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, MS 1 - 2 p.m. Monday, July 20. Services will follow at 2 p.m. and immediately following the service, friends and relatives are welcome to join the family at a reception at the Wilkins home in Braybourne Subdivision in Olive Branch, MS. Burial will be held in a private family service in Hillcrest Cemetery in Holly Springs, MS. He will be buried in the Crowe children’s family plot, near the resting place of Thelma Crowe, the beloved mother of his wife, Carol. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Carol (Crowe), and their daughter Cari Jancso (Ray), granddaughter, Madison and grandson, Tyler. He is also survived by brothers Mike Wilkins of Memphis, TN and Bobby Joe Wilkins of Panama City, FL. Born in Paducah, KY on November 9, 1939, he lived in Memphis, TN and Olive Branch, MS. He graduated from Messick High School in Memphis and attended Memphis State University. Charles served in the Navy as a photographer. After an honorable discharge, he worked as a free lance photographer. he was once contacted by the City of Memphis to photograph every house in the city for tax purposes. He also worked as head of the audio/visual department for Holiday Inns. He retired after 20 years of service at Service Merchandise and after five years of service at Memphis City Schools. After retirement, he worked for Dealers Auto Auction in Horn Lake, MS. Charles enjoyed fishing, Memphis State basketball, the beach and spending time with his family. He was active in fund raising for the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis to honor his grandson, Tyler. The greatest joy of his life was daughter, Cari and grandchildren, Madison and Tyler. Memorial contributions would be welcome and should be sent to the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis at 2893 Mendenhall Road South #3, Memphis, TN 38115. Online condolences may be made at www.BrantleyFuneral.com. Brantley Funeral Home Olive Branch (662)895-2310