Kathryn Elizabeth Jackson-Wilkins

Kathryn Elizabeth Jackson-Wilkins was born May 2, 1920, to the former union of Ogeil and Robert S. Jackson in Richmond, Missouri. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939 and was married to Frank C. Wilkins from 1943 to 1969. Out of this union, five children were born.

Kathryn loved preparing certain favorite dishes for her children, such as pineapple upside down cake, macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, and corn pudding. As a young woman, she perfected her culinary skills in the early 1940’s as a salad preparer at the Hyde Park Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, later qualifying as the Senior Associate of the Employees’ Lunchroom at Halls Department Store on the Country Club Plaza. Her tasty meals caused employees from other department stores to stop in for lunch.

Before working full-time at Halls, she consistently worked part-time through the Christmas holidays as one of the first African American salesclerks at Jones, Klines and Emery Bird Thayer department stores. These employment opportunities were motivated by the deep love she enjoyed for her five children and to ensure each had gifts under the Christmas tree.

Throughout her life, Kathryn always expressed how much she loved her children and understood each one’s individuality. She advised them, especially the girls, to be very independent.

Embroidering, working puzzles, and collecting china were her favorite hobbies. Kathryn had a natural talent for gardening, which meant beautiful flowers followed her throughout her journeys in life. She also enjoyed listening to music, especially that from the ‘swing’ era. Although her parents insisted that she take piano lessons, she was known for playing new tunes ‘by ear’.

After retirement, she was cared for by her daughter, Janice, with whom she later lived as she aged. However, In June 2014, she moved to Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to reside with her oldest daughter, Joann, where she stayed for the remainder of her life. Kathryn always enjoyed her children’s visits to Maryland, especially during her birthday celebrations when they would come to assist in observing these and other holiday events. She looked forward to summer vacations with family and friends at Maryland beaches.

She has left her four daughters to mourn her passing: Joann Riggs, Joyce Herndon, Janice Perkins, and Pamela Wilkins. Her son, Kenneth Wilkins, predeceased her in death on February 2, 2025. Also left are several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends; Kathryn Elizabeth Jackson-Wilkins will be deeply missed.