Mrs. Lillian Booker (Booker) Wilkes

Mother Lillian Booker Wilkes was born on January 1, 1939, in Wilkes County, Washington, Georgia, to the late Mr. George Booker, Jr., and Virginia Broadnax Booker. She was raised in a traditional Southern family with eleven siblings, including six sisters and five brothers. Mother Wilkes graduated from Wilkes County/Washington High School in Washington, Georgia, where she was a member of the basketball team. She later attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and was crowned Miss Morris Brown College. She became the loving wife of Harold Wilkes, and they had one child, Lolitta Wilkes, both of whom preceded her in death.

Mother Wilkes gave her life to Christ at an early age. After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, the Booker family joined Iconium Baptist Church, also located in Atlanta, Georgia, under the leadership of Pastor Reverend Malvin A. Linsey. Mother Wilkes was an active member of Iconium, working where needed and serving as President of the Mother Board, and member of the M. A. Linsey Gospel Choir and Senior Usher Board.

Mother Wilkes began working with her mother, an entrepreneur, at an early age, assisting in her country store and cooking with her at Wilkes County Hospital. After leaving Morris Brown College, Mother Wilkes worked as a Sales Associate for Newberry’s, downtown Atlanta, Georgia. She later became a Sales Associate Supervisor at J.C. Penney in Atlanta, GA, where she honed the leadership skills she had learned from her mother. Upon retiring from J.C. Penney, she served as a store manager as needed for nearly ten years.

Mother Wilkes leaves to cherish her memories two surviving siblings: Reverend George Booker, III (Fannie), and Mother Betty Booker Jones; a host of nieces and nephews; a devoted and loving caregiver, Mrs. Yolanda Stephens; and a host of loving family, and friends. 

Mother Wilkes' sense of humor, love for family and friends, and a sharp sense of style will truly be missed.

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