Mother Willie B. Williamson Wilkins

Our beloved mother, Willie B. Williamson Wilkins, 90, was born September 25, 1934, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Columbus Baker and Ophelia Mack. She went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Covenant HealthCare Cooper, with her daughter and only remaining child, Ceylon, by her side.

Mother Willie B. loved the Lord and was always there when the doors opened. She joined Bethlehem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor E.W. Bothuel continuing her membership under Pastor Lafayette Simpson. She served in many capacities including the Usher Board, Mission, and as a Sunday School teacher. She was active in the Saginaw Valley Baptist District Association and previously served as President of the District Ushers. She faithfully attended the Saginaw Valley Baptist District Association, Wolverine Missionary Baptist State Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, USA Incorporated. She ensured that many youths attended the conventions by helping with fundraisers and sponsoring youth.

She retired from Vlasic Food Corporation as a crew leader and was affiliated with RWDSU/UFCW Local 87 of Saginaw. Mother Willie B. was very vocal about what was right and passionate about helping people attain employment and keep their jobs. She left a memorable impression on her many co-workers and friends. Her door was always open to feed people, especially during the holidays. Mother Willie B. would easily feed up to 60 or more people during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Mother Willie B. leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Ceylon Williams Bettis; grandchildren: Dennis Baker, LaQuinda (Princess) Williams, Katrina Pipkins, Sharease Richardson, Roean, Julian and Jordan Baker all of Saginaw, Michigan, Demontrail (Natasha) Williamson, Jacksonville, North Carolina, Chvonne Howard, Brittany Butts, and John DeBardelaben all of Saginaw, Natasha (Ronald) Hoskins-Jones, Orlando, Florida, Torey Fields, Flint, Michigan and Correy Fields, Fate, Texas; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two nieces, Jessie Dawkins and Onie Taylor, both of Bay City, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Bertha (Leon) Payne, Barbara Conner, Bonnie Price, and Helen (James) Murdock; special family, Valerie Baker, Zelda Matthews, and Amy Baker; her foster daughter, Tyrene Davis; best friends, Jeanette Cassell of Saginaw, Michigan, and Eula Brown, of Memphis, Tennessee; cousins and friends, Larry Jackson, Shellie Ann Bell, Hazel Durham, Nancy Joseph, Hope Foote, Georgia Bell Foote, Pleshetta Hunt, and Wanda Lynn Jackson and daughter Jennifer (James) Jackson Jones of Tennessee; many other cousins and her Vlasic co-workers.

Mother Willie B. was preceded in death by her parents, Columbus Baker and Ophelia Mack; husband, Joe Wilkins, and her children, Roean Baker, Larry Hoskins, Sheneal and Larease Williamson; sisters, Mamie Lee Knox and Mildred Lee Baker-Nelson; and her cousin/friend, Tommie Lee Jackson.

The family sincerely thanks Healthsource Nursing Home especially the following medical staff: Shirley Toliver, Sharon Vaughn, Elizabeth Sweeney, Kingsley Obi, and Shannon Krueger; Covenant Hospital: RN Molly, Dr. Naisan, and Dr. Clemon; Pastor Lafayette Simpson and the Bethlehem Baptist Church family; Pastor Benjamin Smith, Carolle Walker, Mary McDonald and Ivan E. Phillips, and the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.