Annabelle Wilkinson

Annabelle Wilkinson, née Brochet, succumbed to complications of Covid-19 on September 3, 2020. She was 91 years old. Annabelle, whom her family and friends affectionately called Ann or more often “Toots”, “Tootsie”, or “Tooter”, was born in Falfurrias to Olga (née Bauch) and Adolph Brochet on December 5, 1928. Her early years were spent in the telephone office (a house on the east side of what is now the 300 block of Lasater Street) where her family lived while her mom and aunt served as switchboard operators. Her dad, granddad, and other family members worked for several of the early Falfurrias and Brooks county residents including the Lasaters. Her granddad was a good carpenter and was involved in the construction of several buildings in Falfurrias such as tourist cabins at Galloway’s Station and Cafe and a house for the Forsyth family on the corner of Negri and Taylor Roads. She attended grade school in the building that served as the Masonic Hall on Hwy 285 and in the old teacherage on South St. Mary’s Street. One of her teachers was Ms. Gladys Brooks, wife of John Morgan Brooks.

Although she and her family left Falfurrias for a few years, she returned to Falfurrias in 1947 when she began work for Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation. She soon met Willie Wilkinson at a Stanley Products party that was hosted by mutual friends. Their first date, a swimming party in Kingsville, followed soon after. Things progressed and on March 12, 1950, they eloped, with their families’ blessings, to Elgin, Texas, where they were married by the Rev. Seaborn Kiker in his home. The preacher’s wife provided musical accompaniment, and his two children served as witnesses. The couple returned to Falfurrias after their honeymoon to begin their life together. Their first home was a half-Quonset just south of town. In 1958 they moved their growing family to a larger home on South Chester street so that the children could attend school. In 1966 they moved east of Falfurrias where they built a dairy farm and where they eventually retired.

Ann was a member of the Falfurrias United Methodist Church for over 60 years and during that time served almost all roles open to the laity. After her resignation as the church’s secretary in 2012, a position she had held for 35 years, she continued her service by volunteering with her good friend Betty Long at the thrift store sponsored by the Hands of Hope. Although one might think that caring for her family and supporting her children’s participation in school and church events and organizations such as Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, 4-H, and Methodist Youth Fellowship would keep her busy enough, she still found time to serve two years as the State Secretary for the Holstein-Friesen Association during Clyde Rupp’s presidency of the organization, assist at the Sew-n-Sew fabric store, and help with bookkeeping at some of the Howell family businesses.

When she had time for herself, Ann loved to work crossword puzzles (the New York Times, in ink) and jigsaw puzzles (able to quickly complete even those with 2000-3000 pieces), read (including the occasional racy novel to spice things up), play solitaire (we never caught her cheating), and knit or crochet garments and blankets for family and friends.

Family was very important to Ann and she took over and greatly expanded the geneology work begun by her sister-in-law, Josephine Keener. She organized the first Wilkinson Family Reunion in 1986 and oversaw this annual event for over 20 years before turning responsibilities over to the younger generations. Up until shortly before her death, Ann maintained phone, letter, and email correspondence with many people both in the US and overseas who had interest in the Wilkinson, Bauch, Brochet, and other family lines for which she maintained information. Her ability to keep straight the people, places, and events involved awed those who knew her, and the meticulously researched books she authored that documented this information will remain valued references for generations to come. She served as a resource that will be sorely missed.

She is survived by Willie, her husband of 70 years; their children, Lauretta Gerrity (Bud), Patricia Holloway (Jay), Richard Wilkinson (Brenda), Cathy Mong (Larry) and their “like-a-son” grand nephew Michael Ledbetter; her grandchildren, Lane (Daniela) Holloway, Allison Holloway (Royal McGraw), Seth (Andrea) Holloway, Lacey Wolf (Weylin), Sarah Chrane, John “Jack” Gerrity (Ashley), and Robert Mong (Jessica); 12 great-grandchildren; myriad nieces and nephews including grands and greats and cousins of the first, second, and third variety with all the once, twice, three-times removed variations; and a host of friends (really people she was sure must be relatives somehow).

A memorial service is planned for sometime in the future when it is safe once again to hold hands and give one another a hug. In the meantime, in your own way, celebrate Ann’s life.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in Anne’s name to the Harwood Cemetery Assoc (P.O. Box 70, Harwood, TX, 78632), the First United Methodist Church of Falfurrias (302 West Allen St., Falfurrias, TX, 78355), or to the charity of your choice.