Horace L. Wilkins, Sr.

We are here to celebrate the life of HORACE L WILKINS, SR.

In his early days, he was known as "Little Fellow," but many know him as Pops or Dad Wilkins.

Horace L Wilkins, Sr. was born on March 8, 1927, from the union of Robert and Lucinda [Harris] Wilkins. He was one of the 11 Wilkins children, all who have preceded him into eternity; Homer, Gurtrie, Ceonia, Elsie, Robbie Mae, [Horace], Sidney, Robert, Charles, Eva Mae, Thurman. Horace has joined them and his wife of 61 years, Virginia (Echols) Wilkins, and sons, Billy Wilkins Sr. and Horace L W ilkins,Jr .

Horace lived his younger days in Savage (now known as Coldwater), Mississippi, where he grew up and worked in the fields with his family near the Akabula Dam in Tate County. He confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus around the age of 13.

In 1945, when Horace was 18, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he ranked as Private working in the 373rd Quartermaster Truck Company. He was sent to Germany during World War 2. After his military service, Horace received an Honorable Discharge and several medals, including a Victory Medal and an Occupational Medal. While in Germany, he often received letters from his mother, reminding him to pray every day. Through his frequent storytelling, he often encouraged others to "Pray about it, and it'll be alright."

After returning to Memphis, Tennessee, from the military, Horace married Ellen, a union from which Billy Wilkins Sr. was born. As time when on, his marriage ended in divorce. He worked as a cab driver and subsequently secured owning his cab.

He soon met and married Virginia [Echols]. Horace and Virginia moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in the mid-'S0s after he received his Automotive Mechanics Certificate from the Tri-State Trade School of Memphis, Tennessee. Billy Sr. lived with them for some years before going back to Memphis to live with his mom.

Horace and Virginia had four children together; Horace Jr.,Jacqueline, Lawrence, and Steven. He told the story often of asking God for a wife that he could be with for the rest of his or her days, and God granted him that marriage of 61 years.

In the 1960s, Horace joined Bethlehem Baptist Church [Reverend Cleophus Robinson], where he became an ordained deacon. Some years later, he joined the Greater Progressive Baptist Church [Pastor Milton Thames], where the family of six continued to worship for several years.

While supporting his family, Horace became a member of the Teamsters Union: Local 600 as a driver for several different companies. After retirement, he kept on going with his 'got-to-keep-moving' lifestyle. He soon started his own landscaping business, where he serviced many loyal customers well into his 80's. He was very healthy and active for his age, inspiring others with his lively attitude and fun-loving spirit. He would smile and say, "I have been working since I was a boy driving a tractor on the farm. I'm doing just fine". He had many additional talents from carpentry, gardening, cooking, and was pretty good with electronics and fixing things. He was also a Mason. (Inactive)

Horace loved and provided for his entire family, including several adopted family members, and continued to mentor them into adulthood . After Virginia went to heaven, he wanted to meet the man responsible for her glorious homegoing ceremony. That man was Pastor Raymond Horry of Ark of Safety Christian Church, where Horace soon became a dedicated member. He was affectionately called "Dad" by many of his church family, and he would always smile big and say, "I love them, and they love me."

Everyone who knew Horace can attest to the fact that he had a hearty ap petite. He would always pray over his food, saying, "Thank the Lord, and bless the Cook." After each meal, he would always say, "OK, now I'm ready for the sweet stuff." He loved chocolate and cheesecake, sweet potato pie, cakes, and just sweets in general. No one ever knew how he did it and kept his weight down.

Horace was affectionately called Pops by all the kids he adopted over the years from the neighborhood to his children's friends and everyone else's friends. [Virginia was Moms] He knew no stranger. He would do anything to help everybody and frequently would work on people's cars who needed it. He would give time, money, food, a ride, and laughingly say, 'Well, I got a good heart.' And as always, he would advise you to pray about it then put his hand on your shoulder and finish with saying, "It's gonna be alright."

Horace became close friends with Ms. Alice [Conley]. They loved keeping each other company, traveling, and sharing dinner out practically every Sunday after church. She reminds us that Dad Horace often said he prayed that God would give him something good to say that would help everyone he met. Everyone who knows Horace knows he was a real gentleman, loved God, his family, and every one, and as he would say - "And they love me."

God truly blessed Horace's life and allowed him to enter into his presence so peacefully. Yes. It's all right.

Horace Sr. leaves to cherish his loving memory: daughter, Jacqueline (Clifton) Daniel; sons, Lawrence Wilkins and Steve Wilkins; grandchildren, [Billy Sr.] Christy, Billy Jr., Zachary, [Horace Jr] Horace III,Jason, Tony, Tameka, David, Melanee, Kevin, Jamal Uacqueline] Jalisa, Lewis Jr., Janice, Jasmine, [Lawrence] Jessica, Zoie, [Steven] Asia, Brittney, Shoney; three sisters-in-law, Alberta Merrell and Minnie Pearl Phillips [his wife Virginia's sisters], Betty Wilkins (his brother Charles' wife); his companion and friend, Alice Conley (and her family and friends); several nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, his beloved Ark of Safety Christian Church family, many great-grandchildren, a few great-great-grandchildren; his extended family of sons and daughters, and so many more family and friends.

He loved you ALL dearly.

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