Deacon John F. Wilkie was born December 29, 1939 in Greenwood County, South Carolina to Daniel Frank Wilkie and Amanda Rosetta C. Wilkie. Deacon Wilkie passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.

He retired from Cunningham Brick Company. Deacon Wilkie was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Village Dr., serving as the Chairman of the Deacon board and a former usher. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Annie R. Wilkie and two siblings, Mildred Puryear and Leon Barmore.

He leaves to treasure his memory his son, Keith L. Wilkie; three daughters: Gloria Rivera, Norma Jean (Gregory) Borders and Eleanor (Ronald) McElveen; 6 grandchildren: Antonio, Antwan, Quenya, Felecia, Ronica and Ajalan; 5 great-grandchildren; a brother, James E. (Shree) Wilkie; two sisters, Rosa Koontz and Lelia Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.