Obituary of Willa Mae Wilkerson

Willa Mae Wilkerson, 87, of Freehold peacefully entered eternal life in Heaven on Friday, June 26, 2015, at Wedgwood Gardens. She was the eldest daughter of the late Sylvester and Zelda Mae Shells. After relocating from NC to NJ, Willa Mae was a caregiver to her Aunt Mary and worked at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital before she was employed as a Nurse’s Aide at the Geraldine Thompson Care Center for over 30 years. She was a faithful member of Bethel AME Church, Freehold. Willa Mae will always be remembered by her smile and her kindness. She will be missed by many. She was predeceased by her parents; five brothers, James E. Shells, Sr., Richard Shells, Sr., Sylvester Shells, Jr., Dorsey W. Shells, Sr., Otis Shells, Sr., and two sisters, Mabel Brown and Victoria Taborn. Surviving are her son James A. (Ricky) Wilkerson, Jr.; two grandsons James Wilkerson III & his wife Bridget, Christopher Wilkerson; her siblings; one brother William K. Shells; four sisters Mary Godbolt, Vivian McDonald, Ruth Carter & Carolyn Hunter; one uncle Eugene Buckner; two brothers-in-law Randolph Hunter & Lee Conover; three sisters-in-law Florence Shells, Joyce Shells & Marie Hodges; one great-granddaughter Sabrina Wilkerson along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Bethel AME Church, 3 Waterworks Road, Freehold at noon. Viewing will take place from 10:00 am to noon. Arrangements are provided by Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold.