Faye Ogburn Wilkie

Faye Wilkie was born in Chandler, Oklahoma. Sign language was her first language as both parents were deaf. She became her parents' interpreter at an early age, and at 13 started a lifelong career in interpreting for the deaf.

Faye married Andy Wilkie in 1935, and four years later, Sallie Jaytee Wilkie Shelton was born.

During the war years Faye was an Interpreter at Douglas Aircraft, Tulsa, OK. Faye interpreted for the deaf in Churches in Oklahoma, and California, including First Southern Baptist Church, Bakersfield, 1952-1965, First Baptist Church of Van Nuys, 1965-1985 and First Church (now Mill Creek Christian Church) in Bakersfield, 1985-2007, where she was a teacher and elder. Faye's faith in action was an inspiration to all who knew her. In 1958, Faye was asked to Interpret for a Billy Graham Crusade in Fresno, CA, and from that experience, she was hired at Cal State University, Northridge, where she interpreted for deaf students and taught sign language classes. Faye was the first full time, paid Interpreter in a college setting.

She also worked with actors who were training for TV and movies parts using sign language. She and her three grandchildren were featured in a film starring James Garner.

Later, Faye Interpreted for Herbtours and traveled the world for over 20 years. She was known for her expertise in religious signs as well as medical, judicial and scholastic areas.

After retiring from Northridge, Faye worked for AT&T, helping the deaf receive TTD telephone equipment, again, a pioneer for the deaf world. Faye also worked in the Court system as an Interpreter, first in L.A., and later in Bakersfield, CA.

Her amazing contribution to the deaf community cannot be measured! Faye leaves her family whom she cherished: daughter, Jaytee and son in law, Dick Shelton, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, a sister, Irene Stark, of Springfield, OR and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Faye's Life will be Monday, May 2, 2016, 2:00 p.m., Mill Creek Christian Church, Sanctuary, 1660 S Street, Bakersfield, CA. All are welcome.