Joe Edward Wilkes

Funeral Services for Joe Edward Wilkes will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018, 10:00 A.M. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe with Reverend’s Pat Lofton, Steve Sallis and Randy Burdeaux officiating. Final resting place will be Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Wilkes passed away from this life to be with his Heavenly Father the evening of Tuesday, December 11, 2018, in West Monroe, LA.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 14, 2018, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA.

Mr. Wilkes was born in Tippo, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Williams Leslie and Nellie Smith Wilkes; his first wife and mother of his children, Mary Louise McKaskle Wilkes; his second wife, Carolyn Hendrix Wilkes; two brothers, Desmond Wilkes and W.L. “Buddy” Wilkes, Jr.; and one sister, Dessie Bourke.

He is survived by his two sons, Kent Edward Wilkes and wife Paula of Shreveport, LA, and David “Bo” Wilkes and wife Tina of West Monroe, LA; Sisters, Jackie McCain, Mae Howze, Patty McKaskle, Jean Camarasana, Joyce Holloway and husband Carl, and Beverly Caples and husband Elvin; Grandchildren, Matthew Wilkes of Shreveport, LA, Sam Wilkes of Dallas, TX, Dr. John Kevin Wilkes of Houston, TX, Sarah Wilkes of Shreveport, LA and Connor Wilkes and wife Paige of West Monroe, LA; Stepchildren, Marsha Hendrix Farrar and husband Jimmy, Virginia Hendrix Grabowski and husband Chris, Paula Hendrix Berryman and husband Martin, and Robert Hendrix and wife Sue; Step Grandchildren, Randi Brooks and husband Dustin, Eric Hendrix, Linda Williams and husband Perry, Chad Hendrix and wife Shelley, Jamie Frazier, Jessica Morrison and husband Patrick, Heather Lyles and husband Brian, and Tabatha Barrentine and husband Casey; Seven great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Wilkes was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church for over fifty years. He served as deacon for many years and attended church each week until the past few months. He visited many people during his life; most especially the ones that were home bound in their later years and were unable to attend church. It was very important to him that he stayed connected with them. He would help anyone that he could and has helped numerous people during his life time. When his eye sight failed to the point that he could no longer drive, he would call his friends and family regularly to check on them. He was a true servant of God.

Mr. Wilkes, better known as Joe, J.E., Gramps, Pops and Pop Tart, was a man that loved his family beyond measure. He was always happy and delighted in getting to see and visit his family, most especially his grandchildren. He was very proud of each one of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Mr. Wilkes will be truly missed by his family and friends.

Joe loved his friends and enjoyed visiting with everyone who stopped by, to reminisce about old times, the way the world is now and how it has changed.

He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in Engineering. He didn’t talk about his time overseas because it brought back memories of the war and his fallen friends. After the war he returned home, where, during his life time worked for United Gas Company, McCain’s Packing House, Plymouth Tube, owner of Wilkes’ Grocery and Mechanical System Services to support his family.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Caples, Charles McCain, Keith McKaskle, Mike Wilkes, Ray Lewis and Bill Mathus.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Lamar Owens, Joe McGrew, Wesley Clark, Jay Blakeney and Benny Gewin.