Mary Lee Wilkins

Mrs. Mary Lee Wilkins, age 80, took her first breath in Heaven and joined her angel band on Feb. 17, 2007. She was born in Bartow on May 26, 1926 and lived there her entire life before passing away from liver disease. After retiring from over 30 years of nursing, she founded the Wilkins Group Home in 1977 to provide loving care for over 200 children needing special care, caring for many of them until Jesus called them to join the angel band. Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bartow. Mary is survived by her loving daughters, Cheryl (Tom) Ward, Martha Walker, Mary Alice Walker, Betty Amerson, Son- Travis Wilkins; Grandchildren- Michael (Kristina) Ward, Natalie (Dean) Wise, Mathew Amerson, Roy Walker, Jessica Walker, Joanne Ward, Christina Ward, Kristen Ward, Jeremy Ward; Great Grandchildren- Austin and Brooke Wise, Nikki, Joe, Danny, Danielle, and Delana Ward; Foster Grandchildren- Terri, Peggy, Sammy, Bruce, Michele, and Tonya. Family will receive friends, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow, Thurs. Feb. 22, 2007 from 6 PM to 8 PM. Services will be Friday Feb. 23, 2007, at 10 AM at the funeral home chapel.