Mary Ruth Wilkinson

Mary Ruth Wilkinson, a resident of the Winnona Park Community for over 51 years went home to be with the Lord, November 25, 2016. Her faith has become sight and she worships her Lord and Savior now with her beloved husband of 61 years, Ben and their third son, Manford.
Thanksgiving was the one time each year the entire family would gather for Mary Ruth's cooking and the sweet fellowship of just being together. For Mary Ruth to wait until the family assembled is a sweet reflection of the importance of that time.
Mary Ruth was born to Lucius and Ruth Pittman in Biloxi, Mississippi. She had one brother Bill of whom she was always proud. She grew up in Gloster and that is where she met her husband. Her beauty was obvious outwardly and if you took the time to talk with her you found her beauty came from within. She was named Miss Amite County in 1950. Her father forbid her to pursue any other pageants. She married the man who led her to the Lord and sought her entire 61 years to be the wife, mom and homemaker who reflected Christ.
Mary Ruth loved being Ben's wife, she enjoyed being our mom and Mamaw to our children and their children. She had an ability to make anyone feel welcomed in their home. Her degree came from life, with its sorrows her faith grew; with its joy her faith grew. She was a lady willing to share, pray and encourage women who were married to men in full time Christian vocations, she understood the loneliness but she also felt it her duty to help them understand their responsibility to make their home a peaceful refuge. She could fix anything; eventually. She could take a simple meal and make you think you had partaken of a feast.
The last 25 years of her life Mary Ruth assisted Ben in ministering to the homeless, to those struggling, broken and confused. After the homegoing of her husband she struggled to find her purpose. Her sweet church family and her neighbors were a source of delight. She enjoyed watching the children in the afternoon with their parents and often had an ice cream sandwich to offer them as they walked home.
In His mercy, He allowed the loneliness to end and we who were humbled to call her mom, "Arise and called her blessed", rejoicing through our tears that she is home at last.
Her children who are left and who seek to live as become the followers of Christ are:
Evangeline and her husband Dr. Rick Light; their children Rev. Joshua Light; Victoria and her husband Justin Rodda; Nathan and his wife Beth Light.
Dwight Wilkinson and his wife Stacey; their children Evangeline and her husband Mark Watanabe; Autumn and her husband Bryan Bennett; Avonlea, Caleb and Micah Wilkinson.
Glen Wilkinson and his wife Amy; their children Devon and Leighton Wilkinson.
Mary Ruth leaves behind her great-grandchildren Kylie Rodda, Titus Light and one on the way, Clara Light.
Mary Ruth is survived by two sister in laws Norma Wilkinson and Patty Ruth Wilkinson and several wonderful nieces and nephews. She also had two childhood friends whom she loved dearly, Patricia Simmons and Hilda Sansing. We want to say thank you to the Shalom Home Care, a special group of ladies.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 11, 2017, 10 AM at the Grace Church of All Nations, Stone Mountain, GA. Arrangements entrusted to A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033