Doris L. Wilkerson

Doris "Mom, Mutti, Oma, Pug" Wilkerson (90) departed this life on March 9th, 2024 after a sudden illness.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence L. Wilkerson; parents Blake and Naomi Sneed of Cherokee NC, sisters Geneva Jackson and Rita Ann Divilbiss, and brother Sam (Tom) Sneed and a son James L Wilkerson. She leaves behind her son Charles L Wilkerson, a daughter-in-law Kathy Wilkerson, a son-in-law James Long, a grandson Nicholas Wilkerson and a granddaughter Alexandra Wilkerson. She is also survived by her sisters Emma Sneed, Sue McManus, Daphne Hambrook (Steve), Judy Cook (Mike) and brother Keith Sneed (Sandra). Also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Doris was born on the reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina and left at the age of 17 to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. After completing her basic training in San Antonio, TX, She was transfered to Sacramento, CA. It was there she met her future husband, Clarence L Wilkerson (also in the Air Force). While stationed in Sacramento (March AFB) she was assigned to the Air Force Band of the West as a trombone/baritone player. After marrying she separated from the Air Force. Doris and Clarence were then transferred to Mt. Home, Idaho. While there they welcomed thier first child (Charles). Later they were stationed in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, where they had their second child (James). Future assignments took them to Spokane WA, Everett WA, Frankfurt, Germany and San Antonio, TX where they made their home for many years. In San Antonio, Doris had an extensive career including work as a Department of Defense civilian employee in the Contracting Division at Kelly AFB and retired as a GS-11.

She leaves behind a loving legacy of friends and family from her formative years on the reservation, friends acquired during her husband's assignments, and her long Civil Service tenure at Kelly AFB.

Those who knew and loved Doris are invited to a celebration of her life at Hillcrest Funeral Home on March 30, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Service will begin at noon. You may join the family for the livestreaming of the service at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaVJ-_OOv6eXfc4Wh5SQ-NQ    

You may also honor Doris by making donations to VFW Post 8013, Banjo Lane, Cherokee NC 29719 or the Senior Center on Cherokee Indian Reservation.

Family and friends will meet at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, for a 10:45 AM committal service in shelter 5.