Dorothy “Dot” Williams Wilkinson

Dorothy “Dot” Williams Wilkinson, 94, of Morganton passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. She was born in Buncombe County, NC on February 18, 1923 and was the daughter of the late John Oliver Williams and Eleanor Jean Beck Williams.
As a child, Dot grew up in Montreat and Black Mountain, NC. She attended Lees McRae College and Columbia Bible College but returned home at the onset of World War II. Dot then assisted her father by driving oil trucks for his Gulf Oil company when her brothers all enlisted in the service. She also worked for the city of Black Mountain.
Dot married James Kelly Wilkinson June 20, 1948 and raised four children of her own plus numerous other children in the neighborhood. Her home was always open. Dot was devout in her faith and active in First Presbyterian Church in Marion NC and then Faith Presbyterian Church in Morganton NC. She was a faithful servant and was an inspiration to many. Whether a new couple just starting out, someone who was down on their luck or just someone who needed some uplifting, Dot was always there to support and provide help.
In addition to her parents she was preceded her in death by her husband, James Kelly Wilkinson; son, Jay French Wilkinson; eight brothers and one sister. Dot is survived by sons, James Kelly Wilkinson, Jr. and wife, Susanne and Robert Preston Wilkinson and wife, Sun Ju, all of Winston-Salem, NC; daughters Dorothy Jean Wilkinson of Erwin, TN and Deborah Brooks Wilkinson Butler and husband, Pinkney of Morganton, NC; grandchildren, Keith Alan Robinson, Kelly Katherine Wilkinson, Laura Elizabeth Wilkinson, Phoebe Alexandra Wilkinson, Joshua Preston Butler, Arthur Ray Butler and Travis Clay Butler; and five greatgrandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 24, 2017 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marion, NC. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday at Faith Presbyterian Church in Morganton, NC with Pastor Mike Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 605, Morganton, NC 28680. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.