Wilma Ruth Ray Ikerd, 94, of Tifton died Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Fred Evers will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. The family will be at the home of Amyie and Chad Mathis, 19 Spinks Drive in Tifton.
Mrs. Ikerd was born on March 8, 1917 in Tift County and was the daughter of D. W. “Doc” Ray and Mae Belle Cravey Ray, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Howard Ikerd, who died in 1998; one brother, Henry Ray; two sisters, Doris Moorman and Ruby Allen; and one son-in-law, John Henry Dekle, who died in 2009. She was a homemaker and a member of Harding Methodist Church.
Mrs. Ikerd is survived by one daughter, Gail Dekle of Chula; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Mittie Dorminey of Brookfield, Lucille and J. L. McMillan of Enigma, Evelyn Kinchens of Screven and Jean Signorello of Orange City, Florida; her grandchildren and their spouses, Alex and Katie Dekle of Tifton, Andy Dekle of Chula; and Amyie D. and Chad Mathis of Tifton; three great-grandchildren, Avery Mathis, Chandler Mathis and Alivia Mathis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.