Carol Ann Totusek Wilkins

1939 - 2017

Carol Ann Totusek Wilkins left this earth and entered her heavenly home on December 30, 2017.  She was born on December 23, 1939 to George and Lonieda Totusek in Enid, Oklahoma. Five years later she was thrilled at the birth of her baby sister Judi. In 8th grade, her family moved to southern California where Carol made many lifelong friends. She attended Long Beach University for two years after high school and then transferred to Oklahoma State University where she graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Education.  Her career in education spanned 40 years from teaching kindergarten to college students.  In 1977, she married Jack Wilkins and they became a blended family. Together, they had six children consisting of three boys and three girls; Grant (Cindy), Bret, Jackie, Andrea (Matt), Brad (Michele) and Leisle (David). There were many adventures to Tenkiller Lake for camping, cliff jumping and canoeing down the Illinois River. They were filled with much laughter and thrills. In 1984, Jack and Carol moved to California. They made their home in Porterville where Carol taught Special Education at Terra Bella Elementary and then became a Learning Disabilities Specialist and Academic Counselor at Porterville College. Carol was passionate about helping students and others fulfill their dreams. She was instrumental in ensuring that students transferred to universities to finish their degrees. Coming from Oklahoma, Jack and Carol were very passionate about sports and loved attending Porterville College men's basketball games. Their home was always open with many student athletes living with them while attending college. Through her positive influence and engaging personality, Carol encouraged people and loved everyone she met. After retiring in 2010, Carol was active as a volunteer at her church and as a pink lady at Sierra View Hospital. She was a member of Hillside Community Church. Carol is preceded in death by both her parents, her daughter Jackie and two grandchildren Addy Laurel and Jake. She leaves behind her husband Jack, her sister Judi (Allen), five children, eleven grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions can be made to the Porterville College Foundation, in memory of Carol Wilkins, 100 East College Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257.  A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Hillside Community Church in Porterville. The service will begin at 10:00 a.m.