Julia Gilkey

Julia Gilkey passed from this life on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in her home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family. She was a resident of Pawhuska, Oklahoma for many years where she and her husband, Wempsey Gilkey, Sr. raised their 12 children and one grandchild.
Julia was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to John Armstrong and Dora Jenkins Armstrong. She was married to Wempsey Gilkey, Sr. until his death. She worked at Mullendore Cross Bell Ranch for 27 years. After retiring, she later moved to Bartlesville, where she loved spending time with her family and friends.
Julia was a member of Greater First Baptist Church where she served on the Finance Committee and as the Missionary Chairman. She was President of the Bartlesville City Federation of Colored Women's Association, and was an active member of the Community Bible Study, V.F.W. Post #989, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the Westside Senior Citizens Club.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Jerry Don Gilkey, Wempsey Gilkey, Jr. and Anthony Dean Gilkey; three sisters, Ernestine Jones, Edwina Paxton and Doris Clayton. She is survived by her children, (Billy Joe) and Norma Gilkey, (Betty Lou) and Herbert Bethel and (Earnie Mae) Chappel, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma, (Peggy Diane) and Maurice Roberts, of Houston, Texas, (Margaret Delores) Ashley, of Kansas City, Missouri, (Dora Jean) and Thornton York, Jr., of Bartlesville, (Berna Joyce) and Morris Dyes, of Houston, (Herbert Lawrence) and Tamara Gilkey, of Edmond, Oklahoma and (Julius Grant) Gilkey, of Abu Dhabi. She has 30 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren;
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 2:00-8:00 PM; on Thursday, from 9:00 AM-8:00 PM; and on Friday from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. A Wake will be held on Friday from 6:00-9:00 PM, also in the funeral home.
Services for Mrs. Gilkey will be held on Saturday, September 14, at 11:00 AM in the First Baptist Church Worship Center, corner of 5th & Osage, Bartlesville. Pastor Walter Pettiford will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements for Mrs. Gilkey are under the direction of the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.