Gloria Jean Wilkins' Obituary
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Gloria Jean Wilkins was born on Wednesday April 17th , 1957 in Osceola, Arkansas to late mother Rosie Lee Wilkins (Jones) and father Willie Raymond Wilkins SR. Gloria was the youngest daughter and the eleventh child of thirteen children. She departed this life at 12:44 pm on Saturday May 23, 2020, at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, CA. The Wilkins attended Mt. Israel Baptist Church. Gloria accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized in Burdette, Arkansas by Reverend PJ James. As a young child growing up in Osceola, Arkansas, Gloria was a friendly, playful, happy and kindhearted child full of life and love. Her family knew her by many nicknames, from “Gino” and “Mickey” to “Glory” and later, “Glo Glo”. She received her formal education in the public-school system of Osceola until moving to California. On August 22, 1975, she moved to Hayward, California with her mother Rosie, daughter Tonya, younger brothers Toney and Thomas, and cousin Apriel; to live alongside older sisters Belzora Glinsey, Larceanie Spinks and their children. She continued her education in Hayward receiving her diploma in 1976. Gloria gave birth to her first child, a daughter Tonya Jean Spencer (Ervin) on March 6th ,1975 in Osceola, AR, and to her second child, a son Demar Octavius Wilkins on May 1st, 1986 in Hayward, CA. Gloria was a member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church, joining with her mother in 1976 where she currently remains a member. She served on the adult Usher board for a number of years, assisted with food preparation and service for visiting churches during special events, as well as a Sunday School secretary. Gloria was proud and vocal about her love for the Lord making sure to share her testimony every chance she had. In the weeks prior to her passing she shared a fiery testimony and praise with family during a bible study voicing her appreciation for all that God has done and brought her through stating “I love the Lord and I will shout it from the mountaintops till my last breath” erupting in a praise that was heard and felt by everyone listening. She was a beautiful, amazing, loving mother and grandmother that cherished her children and granddaughter. A beloved, sister, sister-in-law, and friend to all who knew her. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Rosie Lee Wilkins and Willie Raymond Wilkins Sr., her maternal grandmother Johnnie Lee Wiley (Grandma Cook), paternal grandparents Laura Ceanie Wilkins and Willie Wilkins Sr., maternal/paternal great grandparents, sisters Alberta Wilkins, Naomi Harris, and a baby brother. She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Tonya J. Ervin (Spencer) Tracy, CA, son Demar O. Wilkins San Lorenzo, CA, granddaughter Kianna A. Young Tracy, CA, sisters Betty D. Gray Pine Bluff, AR, Larceanie Spinks San Pablo, CA, Belzora Glinsey Hayward, CA, Sandra J. Leaks Blytheville, AR, brothers Willie R. Wilkins JR Osceola, AR, Lonnie D. Wilkins Sallisaw, OK, Keith A. Wilkins Hayward ,CA, Toney A. Wilkins Bay Point, CA, Thomas D. Wilkins Concord, CA, Uncle Samuel Wiley Merrillville, IN, numerous nieces and nephews, along with a host of other relatives and friends.
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