Ethel Alexander Wilkes

Funeral Services for Mrs. Ethel Alexander Wilkes, age 88 of Farmerville, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Farmerville First Baptist Church with Bro. Kurt Auger and Bro. Alan Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Promise land Cemetery on Wilkes Drive in Farmerville.
Ethel was born on October 15, 1935 and left this Earth to sing with Jesus on August 25, 2024. She was born to the late C.R. and Emmie Ruth Lagrone Alexander. She was a graduate of Ouachita High School and Northeast Louisiana State University. Ethel met her husband, Don B. Wilkes, in 1955 – it was her first day of college, and was love at first sight! Together they raised four children, Don David, Charline, James, and Andy. While raising children she was the co-owner and chief saw hand of Sterlington Pallet Works. She then taught Home Economics at Sterlington High School. After moving to Union Parish, she worked at the Council on Aging and for the Union Parish School System. Ethel also worked to establish the day care center in Marion for Century Telephone. Following, she accepted the position of Administrator of Chateau Darbonne Nurse Care. This solidified her calling as an advocate for elder care. She would go on to hold several positions with area nursing homes, and she continued this calling until retiring from Arbor Lake Skilled Nursing Facility at the still energetic age of 87. Ethel touched many lives and she cared deeply for the staff, residents, and residents’ family with whom she worked.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; son in law: Sidney Wilhite; and seven siblings including her twin sister, Peggy.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years: Don. B. Wilkes; and her children and their families: Don David Wilkes (Lisa), and children, David and Crystal (fiancé Drew Alger), Charline Wilhite and children, Jake Brown (Carla) and daughter McKenzie and Wendy Horton (Ross) and children Deuce and Charlie Grace, James Wilkes (Carla) and children, Zach (Anne) and son Loucas and Josh (fiancé Gracie Reichman), Frank Andrew “Andy” Wilkes (Bettie) and children, Megan Kenley (Lyn) and daughters Aubrey and Natalie and Emily Harris (A.J.) and daughters Caroline Grace and Ainsley Kate.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ethel’s grandsons and family. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the First Baptist Men’s Adult Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, August 28, 2024 at Farmerville First Baptist Church.
Memorials can be made in Ethel’s honor to the LA Baptist Children’s home or a charity of your choice.
To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.farrarfuneralhomeonline.com