Dottie Ileta Bolton Wilkinson

Dottie Ileta Wilkinson, née Bolton, age 91, born April 29, 1921, in Dallas, TX, passed unto Life Everlasting on September 17, 2012, after many long illnesses. She was born in a small town called Scyene, in eastern Dallas County.

Dottie is survived by her son Sam Wilkinson III; granddaughter Cheryl Anne Cooper and her husband Keith Cooper; her eldest sister Opal Lee Joplin, the only remaining of seven siblings; nine nephews and numerous other grandnephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband Sam Wilkinson Jr.; children Peggy Ann Wilkinson and Richard Wayne Wilkinson; her parents Robert Baker and Eunice Augusta Bolton; sisters Ethel Bolton, Jewel Smith, Willie Belle Burt, and brothers Aubrey Bolton and Cecil Bolton.

Dottie attended Bayles Elementary School-a one-room schoolhouse-taught by her beloved teacher Ms. Bess Motley, through the 5th grade when the family “moved to Dallas.” It was a long move in those days-especially for a child. After completing elementary school at David Crockett, she attended Crozier Tech High School until she met and married Sam Wilkinson Jr. She lost two of her three children: Peggy Ann, a stillborn, and Richard Wayne, who succumbed to leukemia just before his fourth birthday. Thereafter, Dottie worked at Dallas Medical and Surgical Hospital and several drug stores. After her husband died in 1983, she continued to work for the Eckerd Drug Company. She retired after 18 years of service in 1972. Shortly thereafter, she underwent major open-heart surgery that was the beginning of her many health problems. Dottie was active in the church throughout her life: as a teacher in the “youth” departments of several churches-Fair Park Baptist, Westglen Baptist, and Ervay Street Baptist. Dottie and her family joined Wilshire Baptist Church in 1964. She was active as an outreach leader and sometimes substitute teacher of her Sunday School classes. She was dedicated to missions, and a firm believer in tithing. When acute illness kept her from attending church she listened to services on the radio. Most of all, she was dedicated to caring for her family.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be 3:00 pm, Friday, September 21, 2012 at Wilshire Baptist Church, Main Sanctuary, 4316 Abrams Rd. Dallas 75214. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas 75228.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Crossings” at Wilshire Baptist Church.