Edward “Ed” Smith Wilkes, 87, passed away Saturday, October 20, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at First United Methodist Church, Fort Valley with the Rev. Ellis Carpenter officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2012 in Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC with the Rev. Ron Holland officiating. In lieu of flowers, those so inclined may give to Gideons International or to their favorite charity, and know that the Wilkes family appreciates such kindness.
Mr. Wilkes was born September 29, 1925 in Dillon County, SC, grew up in Robeson County, NC graduating from Rowland High School in 1942. He joined the Navy in January 1943, was discharged in November 1946. He entered employment of A.C.L. Railroad in January 1947 as a laborer-student telegrapher, was promoted to Telegraph Operator – relief Station Agent in 1948. He was promoted to Train Dispatcher in 1949, then promoted to Assistant Trainmaster in 1963, became Trainmaster later that year. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of the Raleigh Division in 1973 and promoted to Division Superintendent in 1977, then Division Manager in 1981. While the company he worked for merged many times, he retired from the same company he started with, but then was known as CSX Railroad in 1987.
Mr. Wilkes was blessed through the churches where he worshipped and served the Lord and he was able to assist in prison ministry and nursing home programs. He lost his first wife, Iris Brown Wilkes in 2007 after an extended illness, and they lost a daughter, Martha Gail Wilkes in 2001. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Wilkes. He was remarried in 2008 to Eva M. Collins. She and he had been high school sweethearts in 1942.
He is survived by his wife, Eva M. Wilkes; a son, Charles M. Wilkes of Apex, NC; a stepson, Staley Wayne Pearce of Wilmington, NC; stepdaughter, Ginny McRae of Ft. Mills, SC; two stepsons, Bruce (Sheila) McRae of Macon and Johnny (Gail) McRae of Swainsboro; six grandchildren, Amy Leigh Price of Silver Spring, MD, Elizabeth Rene’ Gardner of Angier, NC, Edward Thomas Wilkes, Phillip Lee Wilkes, John Michael Wilkes and Joshua Wayne Wilkes of Apex, NC; his brother, Jack Wilkes of Raleigh, NC; a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. In addition, he acquired eight wonderful grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren with his new marriage.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.
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