ALBANY — Ruth Carolyn Wilkinson (Carole) passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Phoebe Memorial Hospital in Albany, Ga. Born on Jan. 3, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Edward Leonard Burkhardt and Ruth Burkhardt Litz.
Before retiring she worked as the vice president of Human Resources for Imery Refactory Minerals, formerly C-E Minerals. Carole was a current member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Americus, but previously attended Salem United Methodist in Americus, Ga. Her faith was strong and she carried it with her throughout life in everything she did. Carole was an adventurer who loved to travel the world and immerse herself into the local cultures and histories of all the places she visited.
Survivors include her husband, James Dennis Wilkinson of Americus, Ga., sisters: Jeanne Spencer (James) of Vinland, N.J., and Anna Cheesman of Greenville, N.C., sister-in-law: Jean Oaks of Nevada; seven nieces and nephews: Tracie Spencer and Robert Spencer of New Jersey, William Cheesman (Heather), Thomas Cheesman, Marlene Lacroix (Chris) and Cynthia Gillikin (Marcus), all of North Carolina, Susan Oaks of Pennsylvania; eight great-nieces, -nephews; and fur babies, Perro and Rascal; and an army of close friends. Carole was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, William Cheesman of North Carolina.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 332 S. Lee St. Americus GA 31709 or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 16th Floor, New York NY 10001.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Americus, Ga.
You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts and memories by visiting www.greghancockfuneralchapel.com.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of these arrangements.