Helen Glenna Sisson Wilkes

Wilkes, Helen Glenna Sisson-age 93, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wade and Lena Spangler Sisson; husband William Wesley Wilkes Jr.; son, William Wesley Wilkes III; grandson, William Wesley Wilkes IV; and brothers , Blaine, Glen, and Gray Sisson. Helen spent her early years on the family farm in the Otey community in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Since the early 1800s, her relatives lived on large farms in the area. When she was 14, Helen became a member of the community Methodist Church. In 1938, she married William Wesley Wilkes Jr. and moved to Beckley, West Virginia. During World War II, she and Wesley traveled throughout the southeastern United States while he served as a supervisor in several war industry plants. They later returned to West Virginia where he worked in the family businesses. In the 1960s, they moved to Knoxville to be near their children who were students at the University of Tennessee. Helen was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She felt that every day was an adventure. Helen spent her life enjoying even the simple things. She always had a smile for everyone. Helen was deeply loved by her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her grandchildren were her best friends. The bond between them was very special. Helen created memories that each member of the family will treasure forever. Helen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Deborah Wilkes of Jacksonville, Florida; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Fred Powell and Jane and Edward Rymer; daughter , Connie Wilkes; daughter-in-law Jean Wilkes of Spring Texas; and sister, Ernestine Pushkar of Melcroft, Pennsylvania. Her grandchildren are Fred A. Powell, Dr. Jennifer Rymer (Daniel Shumate) of Durham, North Carolina, James (Tonya) Powell of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Kristin (Gary) Loveday of Sevierville and Courtney (Todd) Cluxton of Spring, Texas. She has 7 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Drs. Kenneth Reese, Frank R. McKeown, Jeffrey Johnson, J. Macdonald Burkhart, Judith Kinzy, William S. Muse Jr. and Carl Marzel Stiefel for the care and compassion our mother received from them. The family would like to thank special friends, Frank and Rhonda Humphreys, Mike Massengill, Margareta Robinson, and Dr. Karl M. and Nancy Stiefel, for the love and kindness shown to our mother. The family will receive friends 5:30-7:00pm on Monday, May 14 at Rose Mortuary-Mann Heritage Chapel-6200 Kingston Pike. A celebration of Helen's life will follow at 7:00pm with Rev W.H. Walden officiating. Private Family Burial. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosemortuary.com

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Helen Glenna Sisson Wilkes

May 10, 2012