Bervon Ellis Wilkinson, 81, of Douglas, Georgia, died Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Saturday, February 19, 2022, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with Brother Scott Davidson officiating and Sister Jada Davidson delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends 12 Noon until the funeral hour at the funeral home in Fitzgerald. The interment will follow at Vickers Rural Cemetery in the Bridgetown Community.
Mr. Wilkinson was born October 28, 1940, in Newton, Mississippi, to the late John W. & Lula E. McMillan Wilkinson. He owned and operated B & W Paint and Body Shop in Douglas, Georgia, where he painted and repaired automobiles and airplanes. Mr. Wilkinson also was employed as a truck driver with Pope Trucking for a number of years. You would often find him drinking a cup of coffee and watching Westerns. He also enjoyed deer hunting and an occasional fishing trip. Mr. Wilkinson enjoyed playing his guitar and singing at the church or with family and friends. His favorite meal was a pot of beans. He was a member and assistant pastor of Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Jacksonville, Georgia, where he was known as “Papa Bear” to his church family.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia Kay Parker Wilkinson of Douglas; three daughters: Debra & Kirby Vickers of Ambrose, Linda Gale Chaney of West Green and Heather & Joe Keddie of Mountain Home, Idaho; two sons: James & Rhonda Wilkinson of Quitman, Mississippi and Gary & Brenda Wilkinson of Douglas; two brothers: Malon Wilkinson of Nicholls and Johnny & Nell Wilkinson of Laurel, Mississippi; two sisters: Alice Williamson of Walls, Mississippi and Ruby Wilkinson of Madison, Mississippi; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Harley Chaney and three brothers: Earl Wilkinson, Doots Wilkinson and Ray Wilkinson; three sisters: Kate Rogers, Judy Chapman and Vanessa Mott.