Joyce Wilkes

Joyce Wilkes, 84, of Longview, TX gained her angel wings on February 17, 2018. She was born January 28, 1934 in Kilgore, TX to William “Bill” & Myrtle Baggett. She graduated from Kilgore High School and attended Kilgore College & Ohio State University. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Longview where she taught Sunday school for many years where she used her flannel graph and puppets to spread the love of Christ. She began her amazing love story with her beloved husband, Kenneth Q. Wilkes, on February 18, 1954. Together they raised 2 children, Eugene & Jena.

She was a loving and giving wife for 63 years, mother, daughter, Gran-Nanny, Great Gran & friend. These are the attributes that we all were blessed to experience. Every act of kindness was done with pure love never expecting anything in return. Always encouraging, positive, soft spoken and full of Godly wisdom is what she was made of. You could see God’s love through everything she did, and her beautiful blue eyes and smile lit up any room. She was always there serving as room mother for her children, as well as her grandchildren.

She had so many talents, there was nothing she could not do. Some may remember her as a ventriloquist, puppeteer who performed with her son Eugene at the Gregg County Fair for over 25 years. She loved to perform for all the children at churches, schools, and other venues throughout East Texas; through her ventriloquism ensuring that all had an opportunity to know about Jesus. She was an awarded ventriloquist for over 45 years and a member of the ventriloquist convention. She received numerous awards for her talent & entertainment. Over those 45 years, she entertained groups such as churches, birthday parties, vacation bible schools, harvest festivals, county fairs, always with a theme of God’s love. She was a leader for Bluebirds campfire, and den mother for Boy Scouts and was always active in each endeavor her family ventured in. She was also a housewife, telephone operator and made wedding cakes for family & friends. She made her FAMOUS “Santa cookies” for her children & grandchildren’s class parties. Every holiday the teachers waited anxiously to see what kind of craft she had come up with for holiday favors. She was a very talented lady when it came to any crafts. You could always count on her walking around numerous sporting events soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, dance recitals, taking pictures of her favorite sport for that season as she followed her grandchildren across Texas recording the accomplishments of all involved. She will be truly missed by the people she touched & many who knew her.

Preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Myrtle Baggett and brother, Tommy. Loved ones left to cherish her memories are her loving husband, Kenneth Wilkes, Son, Eugene & wife Laura Wilkes, daughter Jena & husband Jimmy White. Grandson, Jacob Wilkes, Granddaughters, Jennifer Wilkes, Ashlyn & Brooklyn White, all of Longview. Great grandchildren, Kenley, Gracye, Leilynd & Madisyn. Brother-in-laws, Larry, Fred, Rex & Wife Janet Wilkes from Ohio. Also, other numerous cousins, family & friends.

Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Tenneryville in Longview, TX, Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Visitation will be held at 12 Noon, with services following at 1 PM. Interment at Memory Park in Longview, TX.

In lieu of the usual floral remembrances the family requests donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church Longview, Texas.