Obituary for Frances Wilkins
"Some glad morning when this life is over I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away"
Mrs. Frances Gaither Wilkins, of 705 Brevard Street, Statesville was born in Iredell County February 17, 1939 to the late Loren Patterson Gaither Houston and the late George “Sweet” Hickman.
An Iredell county sports legend and pioneering daycare provider Frances Wilkins passed away on
Wednesday April 1. She was a standout in county softball for over 30 years on the St. Joseph Church's
recreation league team . The stories of her athletic achievements were first started at Unity High
School. While at Unity High she excelled academically also by graduating Salutatorian. She later
attended Livingston College in Salisbury, NC were she played basketball and tennis.
If notoriety for sports and academics were not enough, Frances was also known for her strong gospel
singing voice. She was a longtime choir member and was often asked to perform solos at other local
churches.
Later in life she helped establish and run one of Iredell County's first minority operated childcare
facility Ruthie's Daycare Center. For over twenty-five years Mrs. Frances (as she was called) was able
to provide care, influence, and often first time jobs to hundreds of local families. Many of the alumni
and former youth employees at Ruthie's Daycare have went on to have very successful lives.
Frances Gaither Wilkins was born in Iredell County February 17, 1939 to the late Loren Patterson
Gaither Houston and George “Sweet” Hickman. She was preceded in death by her longtime husband
Willie Wilkins Jr., two loving daughters Joyce Kimberly Wilkins and Pamela Loree Currence. She was
also preceded by a brother Johnny Gaither Sr., mother in-law Floree Haney Wilkins, a foster sister
Beulah Brown, an aunt Eula Hickman Daniels, nephews Carl Brown and Tyree Dalton, and foster
parents Geneva and AJ Robinson who raised her.
She is survived by sons: Kenneth Wilkins (LaChay), Victor Wilkins, and Ronald Wilkins (Eva), her one
and only son in-law: Gregory Currence Sr., two lifelong loving sisters: Josephine Parks and Flora
Griffin, an aunt: Connie Patterson, special grandchildren: Gregory Currence Jr. (Shirelle), Charre
Currence, Roneisha Wilkins, Sierra Wilkins, Chandler Rhyne, and Letisha Lewis, great grandchildren:
Traven Lassiter, Cameron Smith, Jada McCain, Elijah Lacy, Julian Speller, Essence Whiteside and
Deldrick Lewis.
She would like to acknowledge her nieces and nephews whom she helped raise: Phyllis, Paulette,
Ernestine, Albert “Benny”, Karen, Tracy, Lorna, Alisha, Sharon, Yvette, Johnny “Toby”, Cathy, Chris,
Derrick, Robin, Trivia, Lavetta, Richard “Zeke”, Jesse, Johnny, Sam, Elaine, David, and Georgellen.
Special God Sons: Scottie Tucker, Vinson Smith, Sonny Schofield, Marcus Stevenson, Anthony
Stevenson, Brian Stevenson, Isaac Johnson, and Keith Lawrence.
Foster Grandkids: Donna Johnson, David Rucker and Errick Davis
Family Friends: Mildred Scott, Ethel Mae Gaither, Dolleither Daniels, Gabby McClellan, Punchie
Starks, Becky, Tammy Rhyne, Joyce, the Johnson family, Jason and Tabitha.
Special CNA Care: Wanda McCombs and Stella Johnson
Special Family Medical Care: Trivia Griffin (Nurse Practitioner)
Special Medical Donors: Terry and Lorna Parks
Special Doctors: Dr. Harlan Hicks and Dr. Jean-Claude Hyppolite
Special former Daycare Employees: Mrs. Flora, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Ruthie, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Gloria,
Mrs. Carrie Bell, Aunt Lucille, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Reek, Ernestine Perrin, Karen Perrin, Mick Miller,
Freddie Williams, Sidney Morrison, Chris Daniels, Jimmy Lackey...and many others.
Special Everyday Love & Care: Eva Wilkins (daughter in-law)
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Baptist Church. Reverend Thomas Dye will officiate and Reverend Darrick Clemons will eulogize. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Wilkins will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home.
There is NO PUBIC VISITATION, HOWEVER GENERAL public viewing will begin Monday, April 6, 2020 until 7:00 p.m. and resume on Tuesday morning, April 7, 2020, until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:00 noon.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Wilkins at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Wilkins Family.
Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 Virus we, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, have been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services. YOU CAN ONLY ENTER THE FUNERAL WITH A FUNERAL PASS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY.
To that home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away"
Mrs. Frances Gaither Wilkins, of 705 Brevard Street, Statesville was born in Iredell County February 17, 1939 to the late Loren Patterson Gaither Houston and the late George “Sweet” Hickman.
An Iredell county sports legend and pioneering daycare provider Frances Wilkins passed away on
Wednesday April 1. She was a standout in county softball for over 30 years on the St. Joseph Church's
recreation league team . The stories of her athletic achievements were first started at Unity High
School. While at Unity High she excelled academically also by graduating Salutatorian. She later
attended Livingston College in Salisbury, NC were she played basketball and tennis.
If notoriety for sports and academics were not enough, Frances was also known for her strong gospel
singing voice. She was a longtime choir member and was often asked to perform solos at other local
churches.
Later in life she helped establish and run one of Iredell County's first minority operated childcare
facility Ruthie's Daycare Center. For over twenty-five years Mrs. Frances (as she was called) was able
to provide care, influence, and often first time jobs to hundreds of local families. Many of the alumni
and former youth employees at Ruthie's Daycare have went on to have very successful lives.
Frances Gaither Wilkins was born in Iredell County February 17, 1939 to the late Loren Patterson
Gaither Houston and George “Sweet” Hickman. She was preceded in death by her longtime husband
Willie Wilkins Jr., two loving daughters Joyce Kimberly Wilkins and Pamela Loree Currence. She was
also preceded by a brother Johnny Gaither Sr., mother in-law Floree Haney Wilkins, a foster sister
Beulah Brown, an aunt Eula Hickman Daniels, nephews Carl Brown and Tyree Dalton, and foster
parents Geneva and AJ Robinson who raised her.
She is survived by sons: Kenneth Wilkins (LaChay), Victor Wilkins, and Ronald Wilkins (Eva), her one
and only son in-law: Gregory Currence Sr., two lifelong loving sisters: Josephine Parks and Flora
Griffin, an aunt: Connie Patterson, special grandchildren: Gregory Currence Jr. (Shirelle), Charre
Currence, Roneisha Wilkins, Sierra Wilkins, Chandler Rhyne, and Letisha Lewis, great grandchildren:
Traven Lassiter, Cameron Smith, Jada McCain, Elijah Lacy, Julian Speller, Essence Whiteside and
Deldrick Lewis.
She would like to acknowledge her nieces and nephews whom she helped raise: Phyllis, Paulette,
Ernestine, Albert “Benny”, Karen, Tracy, Lorna, Alisha, Sharon, Yvette, Johnny “Toby”, Cathy, Chris,
Derrick, Robin, Trivia, Lavetta, Richard “Zeke”, Jesse, Johnny, Sam, Elaine, David, and Georgellen.
Special God Sons: Scottie Tucker, Vinson Smith, Sonny Schofield, Marcus Stevenson, Anthony
Stevenson, Brian Stevenson, Isaac Johnson, and Keith Lawrence.
Foster Grandkids: Donna Johnson, David Rucker and Errick Davis
Family Friends: Mildred Scott, Ethel Mae Gaither, Dolleither Daniels, Gabby McClellan, Punchie
Starks, Becky, Tammy Rhyne, Joyce, the Johnson family, Jason and Tabitha.
Special CNA Care: Wanda McCombs and Stella Johnson
Special Family Medical Care: Trivia Griffin (Nurse Practitioner)
Special Medical Donors: Terry and Lorna Parks
Special Doctors: Dr. Harlan Hicks and Dr. Jean-Claude Hyppolite
Special former Daycare Employees: Mrs. Flora, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Ruthie, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Gloria,
Mrs. Carrie Bell, Aunt Lucille, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Reek, Ernestine Perrin, Karen Perrin, Mick Miller,
Freddie Williams, Sidney Morrison, Chris Daniels, Jimmy Lackey...and many others.
Special Everyday Love & Care: Eva Wilkins (daughter in-law)
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Baptist Church. Reverend Thomas Dye will officiate and Reverend Darrick Clemons will eulogize. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Wilkins will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home.
There is NO PUBIC VISITATION, HOWEVER GENERAL public viewing will begin Monday, April 6, 2020 until 7:00 p.m. and resume on Tuesday morning, April 7, 2020, until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:00 noon.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Wilkins at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Wilkins Family.
Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 Virus we, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, have been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services. YOU CAN ONLY ENTER THE FUNERAL WITH A FUNERAL PASS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY.