Shirley Wilkins passed away on April 5, 2024 in Spearman, Texas after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  She was surrounded by loved ones and died peacefully in her sleep.
Shirley Jean (Mathis) Wilkins was born on December 10, 1940 in Sweetwater, Oklahoma.  Shortly thereafter, she and her family moved to Hardesty, Oklahoma where she attended school, graduating in 1959 as a 12-year senior.  Shirley was valedictorian of her class and was a cheerleader, band majorette and FFA Sweetheart.
Shirley and Mike Wilkins became sweethearts when she was in the 7th grade, and were married on June 28, 1958.  They were together until Mike's passing in 2006.
Shirley was saved through grace by Jesus Christ when she was small and a longtime, steadfast member of the Hardesty Baptist Church.  She and Mike served on several mission trips to Mexico, and went for several years to Falls Creek as chaperones and cooks for the Hardesty youth.  Shirley taught Sunday School and Bible School and Awanas.
Later in her life she became a member of the Pink Ladies, the Texas County Hospital Auxiliary.
Shirley was a stay at home mom for years until her children were older, and assisted Mike as the bookkeeper for their business, Hardesty Oil Company.  She then became a rural carrier for the Hardesty Post Office, eventually becoming a full-time rural route carrier until her retirement.
She is known as an outstanding cook, a lover of babies and children, making sacrifices her whole life for her children, and spending countless and untold hours reading to her children.  She was always generous and kind in thinking of others.  She will be missed here on earth but is living in glory with her Heavenly Father and has been united with the love of her life, husband Mike.
Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved husband and life partner Jerry Dean "Mike" Wilkins; parents Estle and Reva Mathis; brother Richard Mathis; brother-in-law Darrell "Buddy" Wilkins and sister-in-law Wanda Wilkins Watson; and nephews Larry Boren, Jerry Boren, Larry Watson and Curt Wilkins.
Shirley is survived by: her children Valerie Wilkins of Edmond, OK, Vonda Wilkins of Guymon, OK, and Clay Wilkins of Hardesty, OK; her beloved and favorite granddaughter Erin Wilkins and partner Jesse Porras and beloved and favorite great-grandson Emerson Dean Wilkins of Dumas, TX; brother Charles Mathis and his wife, Mollie, and their children Kim Zigler and husband, Greg, Kristina Roberts and husband Mike, Kathryn Mathis and wife Marina; sister Janice Brookshire and her son Gary Boren and wife LaWanda; sister Pat Mann and her husband Gerald, brother Jackie Mathis and his wife, Evelyn  and their children David Howard and wife Katie, Tabitha Suval and husband Taylor and Abigail Smith; nephew Kenneth Mathis and his wife Marla; sister-in-law Kay Wilkins and her children, son Chris Wilkins and his wife Claretta, daughter Kim Sardis, son Ky Wilkins and his wife, Dianna; and daughter-in-law Jo (Gibson) Wilkins Page; as well as many many great-nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be Wednesday morning, April 10th at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Church in Hardesty with Pastor Cuco Villa officiating.  Interment will follow at the Hartville Cemetery, SE of Hardesty.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Camp Gibson Church Camp.   Memorials will be accepted at the Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 9th between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. at Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home in Guymon, OK.  Friends may sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.