Helen Renae Wilkerson moved from her earthly home to her heavenly home on April 15th, 2025. Renae was born on October 5th, 1951, to Dorothy (Sharp) and Kenneth Dees in Leadville, Colorado. Growing up, Renae lived in Leadville, Colorado; Grants, New Mexico; and Bergman, Arkansas. She graduated from Bergman School in 1970.

On May 19th, 1972, Renae married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Wilkerson, at the White Oak Church of God. Gerald and Renae were blessed with 52 years of marriage, one daughter and son-in-law, two granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, one beautiful great granddaughter, and another great grandchild on the way who will share Renae's birthday month, which is October.

Before going to work in the Bergman lunch kitchen, Renae was a homemaker ensuring Gerald and Kimberly were well taken care of, and she babysat many children in the family and community. She always had a green thumb and grew the most beautiful flowers. Photographing her flowers and her family was one of her favorite hobbies. Renae worked in the lunch kitchen at Bergman School for 35 years and created lasting friendships while she was there. Teachers often went to her serving line because they knew she would make sure they got a fresh, hot roll from the warmer, which she would serve to them with a smile. She made the best rolls. She did her best at everything she set her hand to. She made the best mashed potatoes (never a lump was found), the best chocolate pie, and she had the most beautiful handwriting. She was a friend to everyone. She never lost her temper or said a harsh word or spoke ill of anyone. While she was quiet and reserved, she was also fun and adventurous. In the winter when the grandkids and family would go snow sledding, she went sledding with them and was often the last one to go in. Sometimes Gerald would tie the sled to the four-wheeler and take her for a ride through the field. She could make a great snowman. When competing on different games on the Wii, she often put the rest of the family to shame. Not many years ago, she was riding a dirt bike around the yard and more recently riding in the golf cart. She was always a good sport.

While her adventures gave her pleasure, her real joy came from serving God and loving her friends and family. She taught Sunday school for many years, helped with church Christmas plays and dinners, and prayed relentlessly. Her heart's desire was that everyone would come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and she spent some of her last days calling and praying with family members. She and Gerald stood by each other and loved each other through the good and the bad. No mother has ever cared for a daughter better than Renae cared for Kimberly. Renae loved her granddaughters deeply. She could rarely tell them no, and they knew it. She enjoyed going on their annual back to school shopping trips (in which she out-shopped all of them) and participating in so many family traditions. She loved watching her grandkids play their sports. She was their biggest fan. She rarely missed a basketball, volleyball, or home football game. She thought the girls chose good husbands, and the boys brought much joy to her life. Her son-in-law was always special to her, but in the last month she became especially comforted by his conversations with her about the Lord. She enjoyed all the Sunday lunches and fellowship around the table at Rosie's. She also loved supporting all the nieces and nephews and their families through the years. Rhonda, Dean, Travis, Austin, Todd, and Wesley all had special places in her heart as did her sisters, brother, mother, sister-in-law, friends, and family. Sharing holidays at Kenna's with all her family was near and dear to her heart, and the family ensured there were lots of laughs and memories. During the last couple of years, her great granddaughter, Kailey Blake, was a beautiful blessing and great joy.

Renae is survived by her husband Gerald; one daughter, Kimberly Powers and husband Clint of Bergman; two granddaughters, Kelsey Robinson and husband Tyler of Bergman and Kayden Johnson and husband Ben of Harrison; great granddaughter, Kailey Blake Robinson and coming in October, great grandbaby Johnson; mother, Dorothy Dees of Bergman; two sisters, Kenna Wilkinson and husband Ronny of Bergman and Missy Dees of Bergman; one brother, Brent Dees of Bergman; one sister-in-law, Shirley Jones of Bergman; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Dees, of Bergman. Kenneth's earthly birthday was April 15th, and this year he received a heavenly birthday gift in being reunited with Renae. Renae was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Velma Collins of Bergman.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM both on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison. Leo Dye will officiate.  Burial will be in White Oak Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Clint Powers, Ben Johnson, Travis Wilkinson, Tyler Robinson, Dean Wilkinson, and Austin Wilkinson. Honorary pallbearers are Bailey Carter and Ethan Carter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Renae's name to aid in digging wells and building churches to Mauldin Ministries, Kerry Mauldin, PO Box 140402, Broken Arrow, OK, 74014.

On-line condolences can be left at www.coffmanfh.com .