Shirley Clayton Wilkins

YANCEYVILLE - Our beloved Matriarch, Shirley Clayton Wilkins, was called to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, 2015.
She was born Aug. 8, 1937, in Caswell County, to Wiley and Lissie Clayton, who predeceased her. She had seven sisters and four brothers. She was predeceased by her sisters, Lissie Walker, Mamie Hinkle, Doris Travis; and brothers, James Clayton, and Thomas Clayton, Willie Samuel Clayton and Wilbur Clayton. Also preceding her was a grandson, Anthony Wilkins.
On Aug. 22, 1953, she married the love of her life, Thomas Andrew Wilkins, who predeceased her on Jan. 28, 2012 after 58 years of marriage.
Shirley worked in the grocery business, retiring from Food World after 37 years and then at Stadler Country Ham for over 10 years.
She loved her church, Beulah Baptist Church, and enjoyed all Gospel music. She was a magician in the kitchen and was well known for her pound cake and her homemade biscuits. She also was an excellent seamstress, often making her family clothes, and known for her vegetable gardens and her canning.
She is survived by her son, Dennis Wilkins and wife Dixie of Axton, Va., Bernice Kanupps and husband Ronnie of Burlington and Donna Williams and husband Andy of Graham; grandchildren, Crystal Wilkins, Dennis Wilkins Jr., Dylan Wilkins Jr., Justin Kanupps, Emily Harris, Jordan Williams and Adam Williams, Chasati Crabtree; great grandchildren, James Blalock Mathew Harris, Annalynn Wilkins and Bailey Grace Woody.
Left behind to treasure her memory are her sisters, Arline Massey and Alma McKinney, both of Burlington, Lena Byrd and husband Richard of Yadkinville, NC and Catherine Hamlett, not only her sister, but her best friend.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and at other times at the home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 1834 U.S. Hwy. 158 East, Yanceyville, NC 27379 or to Alamance-Caswell Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.
Harrelson Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be made at www.harrelsonfs.com