Lillian Elizabeth Wilkins

1933 - 2023

Lillian Elizabeth Wilkins, age 90, passed away on Dec. 24, 2023, at her home in Mtn. View, Mo. She was born on July 2, 1933, in Wilburton, Okla., to John and Eva (Tiffee) Bevans.

Lillian married Nolan Wilkins on June 10, 1950, and to this union, five children were born: Cynthia Jean, Terry Eugene, Sharon Elaine, Gregory Lee and Gary Dwayne.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Eva Bevans, son Terry Wilkins, brothers John Bevans-Ventura and Roy Bevans, sisters Dovie Bevans and Margaret Walker, grandson David Wilkins and great-grandson Matias Hoyer.

Survivors include her husband Nolan Wilkins of Mtn. View; daughters Cynthia Davis and husband Terry of Lakeview, Ark., and Sharon Essary and husband Michael of Willow Springs, Mo.; sons Gregory Wilkins of Tampa, Fla., and Gary Wilkins of Kansas City, Mo.; siblings Shirley Martin, Winaford Bevans, Richard Bevans and Larry Bevans; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lillian devoted her life to helping her husband in the ministry. She pastored alongside him and taught the adult Sunday school class. She was an avid student of the book of Revelation and was known for teaching this. She loved God and her family, and during the course of her life, she was miraculously healed of cancer when her youngest son was a baby.

If someone came to their home in need, she would always give them food, she never wanted anyone to go away hungry or cold. Lillian was interested in many things. She loved doing crafts, drawing, ceramics and oil painting, and she loved to read about all kinds of things. She wrote several poems, she loved to sing and always had a saying for everything.

Over the years, she entertained several ministers and their families in her own home. Lillian was known for her delicious biscuits and gravy, and lemon pie. Her kitchen window sills were always full of African violets. Her favorite flower is the rose, and her favorite song is "Where the Roses Never Fade."

Beautiful and unique like the rose, her beauty and intelligence will be missed, and we will long to see her in Heaven some glad day.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Yarber Mortuary, Mtn. View, with Rev. Moses Tipton officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m., also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mtn. View. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.