D'Wayne Gilkes

Family-Placed Death Notice

GILKES, D'Wayne D'Wayne Anthony Gilkes, 46, departed this life Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Emory Midtown Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born October 12, 1965, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Barbara Jean Gilkes and Eiland Anthony Gilkes. D'Wayne graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1983. After graduation, he attended Southern University until relocating to Atlanta, Georgia and was employed at AT&T for 22 years. He battled health issues for many years, but through it all he always managed to keep a smile on his face and put the best on the outside. D'Wayne touched many lives with his kind and easy going spirit. He was full of joy and always optimistic. He was a blessing and his presence in our life was a gift we will always cherish. D'Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Ella Jones-Gilkes; and beautiful daughter, Jorden Briele Gilkes, Atlanta, Georgia; mother, Barbara Gilkes Gilmore, Atlanta, Georgia; father, Eiland A. Gilkes (Barbara), Hayward, California; mother-in-iaw Audrey Jones, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: brother-in-law, Duane Jones, Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Ellen Riley (Freddie), Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His uncles, Renan Gilkes (Marion), Donald Johnson (Theresa), Darryl Johnson (Patsy), Will Johnson JII (Nettye), Roosevelt Jarrell Sr. (Myrtis), all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His aunts, Linda Rodney (Richard), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Elaine Martin, Clarksville, Tennessee and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Willie and Hattie Johnson, Rita Gilkes, Carlton and Rosa Belle Gilkes; an aunt, Irma Jarrell; a special cousin, Harris Rodney. Services will be held on Wednesday, February 22, visitation from 10:00 a.m. until service at 11:00 a.m. at New Sunlight Baptist Church, 1777 America Street, officiated by Rev. Dale Flowers. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Desselle Funeral Home, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.