Jennie Lou Wilkerson

Jennie Lou Wilkerson, 83, of Great Falls, Montana passed away on September 25, 2018.She died peacefully after a hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Jennie was born in Savannah, Tennessee, on December 12, 1935, to the late J.E. and Wilma Cherry. She was the second oldest child of nine. Jennie attended college in Morristown, Tennessee and received her Associate’s Degree. She married her childhood sweetheart, William “Bill” Wilkerson on June 12, 1935. A celebration of life will take place on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Greater Faith Church of the Open Door located at 420 2nd Avenue SW in Great Falls, Montana. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am and the service will begin at 11:00 am.Funeral arrangements have been made by O’Connor Funeral Home. As a military spouse, Jennie traveled around the world with Bill. She dedicated her life to being a great wife and mother. In 1980 she started working as a Teacher’s Aide at North Middle School in Great Falls. She worked there for about 10 years. Jennie loved working with the teachers and students at North. She was missed dearly when she “retired”.However, she often joked she did not miss the unruly kids. When Bill was first stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Jennie wasn’t sure if she could get used to the cold Montana winters. After a year of living in Great Falls, she fell in love with the city and they decided to make Great Falls home. Jennie loved attending sporting events. She was a second mother to many Charles M. Russell High School football and basketball players who were friends of her sons. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, playing cards, bingo and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Greater Faith Church of the Open Door at the time of her passing. She was also one of the original members of Mount Olive Christian Fellowship in Great Falls. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and will be rejoicing in heaven. Jennie is survived by her husband Bill and two sons Glenn and Daryl of Great Falls; daughter Michelle from Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughters Tiler Paliga (Tom) of Littleton, Colorado, Devin McKinnon (Adrian) of Sherman Oaks, California, Mikal Wilkerson of Spokane, Washington, Kendell Wilkerson of Billings, Montana, Kennedi Wilkerson of Olympia, Washington; two great- grandsons Jaiden McKinnon of Sherman Oaks, California and William Paliga of Littleton, Colorado; siblings Richard Cherry (Rowena) of Louisville, Kentucky, Shirley Cherry Greene of Charlotte, North Carolina, Melvin Cherry (Jeanette) of Maryland, Carolyn Cherry Jacobs (Bobby) of Nashville, Tennessee, and Leon Cherry of Kansas City, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jennie was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers James, Wilbert and a newborn who died shortly after birth. Jennie will always be remembered as a loving and wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend to so many. Her sense of humor and sharp wit made her special to everyone she encountered. She will be missed by all. You fought a good fight.May you now rest in heaven, Jennie. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com Obituary to follow