Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Bessie Wilkerson Obituary
Mother Bessie M. Wilkerson, 92, of Ridge Street, Steelton, quietly slept away on Saturday, October 29, 2005, in the Harrisburg Hospital.
The fourth of fourteen deceased children of the late Mary and John Wesley White, she was born November 15, 1912, in Moore County, NC. She was educated in the public schools of Moore County.
A seventy-year member of Emanuel C.O.G.I.C., she served as cook, President of the Mothers' Board, President of the Hospitality Club, member of choir, ushers, nurses unit, Sunday school, and Y.P.W.W. Additionally, she served as State Assistant President, Hospitality Club and President of Ways and Means Committee of the Eastern Jurisdiction, C.O.G.I.C. Mother Wilkerson was retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She loved her God, her church, her family, cooking and traveling.
The widow of Arthur Lee Wilkerson, she leaves her legacy to two daughters, Shirley M. Carter and Betty L. Wilkerson, both of Steelton; five grandchildren, James, Jr., Sharon, Denise, Stacy, and Jamal; thirteen great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and Christian friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2005, at her church, 16th and Liberty Streets, Harrisburg. Viewing and visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Mother Wilkerson will be eulogized by Pastor David M. Screven. Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, November 7, 2005, in the William Howard Day Cemetery, Steelton.
With sincere thanks, the family of Mother Bessie M. Wilker-son expresses deep appreciation for your prayers and thoughtful expressions of sympathy. Friends will be received at 244 Ridge Street, Steelton.
Professional services entrusted to Wallace Funeral Directors, Inc.
www.pennlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bessie Wilkerson
Sponsored by Her Loving Family.
November 15, 2017
Good morning, Mom. Happy 105th Birthday!!! Wish I could wrap my arms around you and give you a big kiss and hug. But this will have to do until I get there. Loving you and missing you always.
Your loving Daughter,
Betty Lee
December 25, 2016
Merry Christmas, Mom!
I miss you so, so much, but I know if I continue to live right and follow your example, we'll be together again soon. Until that day comes, I'll continue to treasure the time we had together and the love we share. Love you so much, Mom.
Your loving daughter,
Betty
Grandson Jamal and Daughter Betty
November 14, 2016
Hi Mom. Happy 104th Birthday. Still missing you so, so much. Of course that will never change.
I wish I could give you a big bear hug and big fat kiss. Although that's not possible now, I know if follow your footsteps, one day it will be possible.
I love you, love you, love you, and I miss you, miss you, miss you.
Your loving daughter,
Betty
May 8, 2016
Good morning, Mom. Happy Mother's Day! I wish I were there to give you a great big hug and kiss and tell you face-to-face how much I love you. Although that's not possible now, I know one day we'll be together again.
Mom, I miss you so, so much. I will love you forever and a day. Please tell Aunt Donnie and Lucille I said "Happy Mother's Day".
Your loving daughter,
Betty
November 15, 2015
HAPPY 103rd BIRTHDAY, MOM! I wish you were here so I could give you a great big hug and kiss, tell you face to face "Happy Birthday", how much I love you, how much I cherish you, and how much I miss you. One day, though. One day I'll be able to do just that.
Mom, you are so loving, so loved, so lovable. I will always love you. I will always cherish you. And I will miss you everyday until the Lord reunites us.
With a big old kiss and hug and with all my love,
Betty
May 11, 2014
Good morning, Mom. Happy Mother's Day. Missing you and loving you, as I always will.
Jamal's children are growing like wildflowers. They are so beautiful.
Mom, I thank God for choosing you to be my mother. I will cherish you forever and ever.
Please tell Aunt Donnie and Lucille I said "Happy Mother's Day". You know I always say I have three sets of parents.
I love you, I miss you, I cherish you. Please continue to watch over Jamal, his children Max and Kyra, and me.
Love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day again.
Betty
Quinton Jamal "Gamman" Wilkerson
May 11, 2014
Grandmom
8 Years Have Passed
Over 8 years have passed since you went away.
I thank God for you each and every day.
A lot has changed in these 8 plus years,
I know how you worry, but have no fear.
Karen, the kids and I are doing well, as if you didn't know.
Though married now, the fact remains;
I wish you hadn't had to go.
But you're much better off now,
than you've ever been.
You ran the race and you did win.
Over Eight years have passed since we said goodbye;
If asked how you are doing now,
I know they'll be no more…
OH MY EYE!
Love Jamal & Karen, & Max & Kyra
Happy Mothers' Day Grandmom. WE LOVE YOU!!!
Jamal's children Max (5) and Kyra (20 mos.)
May 12, 2013
May 12, 2013
Good morning, Mom. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST AND DEAREST MOM!
I still miss you like it was just yesterday that you went home to be with the Lord instead of nearly six and half years ago. I'll always miss you no matter how much time passes, but not having you here with us in body is easier to bear knowing that, soon and very soon, we'll be reunited on that great and glorious day when we're caught up to Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jamal and his family are doing fine. The children are growing like wild flowers and are so beautiful, AND you're a great-great-great grandmom now. Jimmy's daughter Satyn had a baby boy last week on the 9th. Congratulations!
Mom, please continue to watch over all of us and guide us as we continue our earthly journey.
I love you, Mom. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY again. Tell Aunt Donnie and Lucille Happy Mother's Day for me. Tell them and all our family and friends up there with you I love them and miss them all so very much.
With All My Love and a
Great Big Hug and Kiss,
Betty
Jamal Karen Max and Kyra Wilkerson
May 12, 2013
Happy Mothers' Day, Grandmom. We love you!
Kyra, Max, Karen, and Jamal
November 22, 2012
Hi Mom. Well Jamal and his family had dinner with me today. It was nice and brought back good memories, especially when we were still living on 19th St. and you and Aunt Donnie would cook on Thanksgiving and Shirley's children and I would go to the football game, and when we got back home all we had to do was sit down and enjoy a wonderful family dinner. And you cooking the turkey and coconut cake and Aunt Donnie baking the pumpkin pies.
They were the good, good days. We don't have family dinners like that anymore, but at least we have precious memories that will live on.
I love you and miss you, Mom, more than I can put into word, but I know, as long as I continue to walk in the light of God's salvation, I'll see you again some day soon.
Again, please continue to watch over Jamal, Max, Kyra and me as we continue our earthly journey and protect us with the golden wings I know you received in Heaven for all your good work on Earth.
Love you...love you...love you.
Your daughter,
Betty
Grandson Jamal, wife Karen, and great-grandchildren Max and Kyra
Betty Wilkerson
November 16, 2012
November 15, 2012
Hi Mom. Happy 100th
Birthday! Love you and miss you.
I wish you were here so I could hug you and give you a big fat kiss. I know I can't do that, but I know you are here with me in spirt each and every day of my life.
Jamal's children Max and Kyra are growing like wildflowers. It's still hard to believe Jamal is married and has children. Where did the years go?
Mom, please continue to watch over Jamal, Max, Kyra and me, and please continue to ask the Lord to continue to bless Jamal and his family and me.
Tell Daddy, Aunt Donnie, Uncle Hurl, Lucille, Lester and all the family that has gone before me I love and miss them and will join you and them soon in that glorious Kingdom God has promised to all of us who believe in His promise and His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I send you all my love,
Betty
Quinton Jamal Wilkerson
November 15, 2012
100 years ago today God dispatched an angel to spend some time here on Earth. That angel shared love and wisdom and knowledge and kindness and patience with EVERY person she came in contact with. That angel never hesitated to help or give to anyone in need and her love for family was bested only by her love for Christ. So this day we celebrate the 100th birthday of the only grandmother I've ever known...Bessie Wilkerson. You are missed, your are adored and YOU ARE LOVED.
Quinton Jamal Wilkerson
May 8, 2011
Thank you, Grandmom. Thank you for putting up with me when I got on your nerves, giving me the opportunity to find my own path to salvation, setting an example for the world to follow and for you and Grandad having Mom so she could have me. "Without you there would be no me." I owe you more than you could ever know. I often wish Max would have gotten to meet you, but, he really has. When he looks at me and Mom, he's seeing You through us. When Baby Lyric is born, she will see you too! Talk about a blessing!!!! We love you!
Your youngest Grand!
Jamal
May 8, 2011
Hi, Mom. Happy Mother's Day. I love you and miss you.
As we celebrate mothers today, I thank God for blessing me with the world's greatest mother, and I thank you for your love, wisdom, strength, kindness, sweet spirit and all the precious memories I have of you.
Thank you, Mom, for loving Jamal as if he were your son rather than your grandson, and he knows that too. You and Aunt Donnie are a very large part of why Jamal is the wonderful man, husband, father, and son he is today, and I thank you from the depths of my heart. Max continues to grow more handsome every day. They were here to see me today.
Tell Aunt Donnie and Lucille I said "Happy Mother's Day" because I often tell people I was blessed with three sets of parents: you and Daddy, Aunt Donnie and Uncle Hurl and Lucille and Lester, and I thank God for all that love.
Well, Mom, I just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day and to thank you for being my mom. I'll see you again soon. Love you much.
Your loving daughter,
Betty Lee
Mom circa 1966
February 21, 2011
Daughter Betty 04/09
February 21, 2011
Jamal (Gammon) Wilkerson
February 21, 2011
Hey Grandmom, Mom pretty much covered everything. So, I'll just say that I love you and miss you. I thank God for your life and your heart of gold. I know your eyes are better and I'm glad. :o) I LOVE YOU!
Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Bessie April 1983 Bess
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Max Christmas '09
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Max the Super Star October 2008 (7 mos.)
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Max the Pianist March 2009 (1 yr.)
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Grandson Jamal 3 months 1972
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Max and Nandi (Grandmom Betty) Christening 08/10/09
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Nandi (Grandmom Betty) and Max Easter Sunday 2009
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
Grandson Jamal, wife Karen, and great grandson Max
Betty Wilkerson
February 16, 2011
February 16, 2011
Mom, I still miss you today as much as I missed you the day the Lord called you home to be with Him. No amount of time will ever fill the void left in my heart and my life by your passing. I love you and will miss you until my journey on this earth is completed and I see you again when we meet in our Heavenly home.
Thank you, Mom, for all the years of love and laughter we shared, the good times and the not so-good times; all the phone calls we shared every morning at 9 and every evening at 7:30 after "Wheel of Fortune" went off, until the last 14 months that you were still with us. Not a day went by that I wasn't thinking of you. I'm sorry we couldn't have talked more when I saw you on the day of Lucille's funeral. The circumstances wouldn't allow it.
Mom, Jamal and Karen have given you a beautiful great grandson and me a beautiful grandson. His name is Christian Maximillian but we call him Max. Wow! Can you imagine the time he'll have trying to learn how to spell "Christian Maximillian Wilkerson". He'll learn how though because he is so intelligent. He's so beautiful! He has red, curly hair, a nose like yours, and ears like mine. He'll be three on March 11. He calls me "Nandi" rather than Grandmom. He calls Karen's mom Grandmom. Jamal and Karen are expecting another baby sometime in July. They are doing well and seem to be happy.
I'm back in the church now like you always prayed for. I can't believe I wasted all those years having what I thought was a "good time". I know now a good time is praising and worshipping the Lord, hearing The Word, and fellowshipping with the saints! Thank you for never giving up on me, for never stopping to pray for me, and for never stopping to ask the saints to pray for me. The Lord heard your prayers and delivered me from the sins of my former life.
But, Mom, you know all this don't you? The Lord has appointed you as His Special Guardian Angel to guide Jamal, Max and me as we continue on our earthly journey? Although I can't see you, I can feel your presence, your spirit. All the older church members are always telling me how much I look like you. They even tell me I sound just like you when I talk to them on the phone. I pray one day I'll have your sweet, sweet spirit too.
Vercena's (Miss Roxcena's daughter) daughter signed your Guest Book and so did Callie. The spoke very well of you.
Please tell Daddy, Aunt Donnie, Uncle Hurl, Lucille, Lester and all the others who have gone on before me I said "hello". Tell them I love them and will see them soon.
Mom, please continue to watch over Jamal, Max and me, and please ask the Lord to continue to bless us and keep us in His loving care.
I love you and miss you, Mom, and will see you soon.
Your loving daughter,
Betty
Sharon McFarland
November 7, 2005
Miss Wilkerson was a nice lady and a good friend of my Grandmom, Roxcena Aderson. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow.
Sharon McFarland (Daughter of Vercena McFarland)
Linda Collier
November 5, 2005
To the Family of Mother Bessie Wilkerson: You have our sincere sympathy and we will be keeping you in our prayers. She was a beautiful Christian woman, much loved and respected by all who knew her. Be encouraged. She cannot come back to you but you can go to her. Love and blessings, Mother Vivian (Cobb) Smith, Linda (Smith-Hodge) Collier and family.
Callie Aderson
November 5, 2005
Dear Shirley and Betty
You have our deepest sympathy on the death of Ms. Wilkerson. I was hoping to visit her the next time I come to Harrisburg, but now she has gone home to meet the Savior and our parents who went before her. I always told my Mom that I liked Ms. Wilkerson so much because she laughed a lot. That is how I will remember her.
Love,
Callie Aderson
and the Aderson Family
11/05/05
Patti Baltimore
November 5, 2005
May the Lord surround the family with his Angels of Mercy, Healing and Strength.
My deepest condolences.
Alex Erby
November 4, 2005
Betty,when I think of mom, it takes me back to the good old West Side of Steelton. I remember the dignity and grace of your mother, and the love she gave all of us on the west side. She use to keep me on my best behavior in church (smile). My love and sympathy to you and your family.
Yvonne Cobb-Springs
November 3, 2005
To The Family of Mother Wilkerson:
My heart was saddened to learn the passing of Mother Wilkerson. During my childhood and teenage years, Mother Wilkerson and I shared a special bond. Partly because she reminded me so much of my grandmom. I remember when Mother Wilkerson, Mother Hall, and Mother Weston would be in front of the church selling chicken dinners, sandwiches, and pies. I would go and sit and talk with them. They got to know me and I got to know them. Now she is rejoicing in Heaven with Deacon and Mother Cobb. May God continue to comfort and keep you during this hour of bereavement. You are in my prayers.
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
Make a Donation
in Bessie Wilkerson's name
Memorial Events
for Bessie Wilkerson
How to support Bessie's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Bessie Wilkerson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
