Our dear mother, Gwendolyn Browne Wilkins, ascended to her heavenly home on Friday, June 15, 2018. She was born October 31, 1929 to Albert Tally and Nell Stafford Browne in LeCompte, Louisiana. She wed Roy Allen Wilkins, Jr., on June 6, 1951, a marriage of nearly 54 years. Mom is preceded in death by husband Roy, who passed away in 2005, and her sister Jo Anne Browne King. Mother is survived by her brother-in-law, Lowell King and by her three children: Kenneth Talbert Wilkins and wife Christine Nasie Wilkins and son Brent; Carol Allene Wilkins Rimka and son Steven and son Craig and wife Ashley Marie Rimka and great grandson Jack; and Ronald Stafford Wilkins and wife Delaina King Wilkins and daughter Rachel and sons Jordan and Jeremiah.
Mother earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, from Louisiana State University, awarded in 1951. At LSU, she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She taught for many years in public schools in Texas and returned for advanced study at Texas Christian University, earning the Master of Education in 1974. This prepared her to take on leadership roles, including head teacher of Pantego Special School and principal of Berry Elementary School, both in Arlington, Texas. She was a member of several professional educators’ organizations, including Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and, following retirement in 1990, as member of Texas Retired Teachers Association. Other memberships included Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Thompson Book Club. She cherished the many friendships made in Parkview Retirement Community and Christian Care Senior Living Community in Allen.
Her faith commitment was strong. As a life-long Christian, she raised her children as regular church-goers in Royal Haven Baptist Church (Dallas) and First Baptist Church in Arlington. Upon retirement, she and Dad moved to Plano and transferred membership to First Baptist Church-Plano, where she was a member until her death. Mom was an active lay member of this congregation, participating in several ministries, notably in grief counselling. Memorial gifts may be made to the Caregiver Ministry at First Baptist Church-Plano.
Mom will be interred with husband Roy at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery.
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