Author: Anna Lee

Fredrick Leroy Wilkinson, Sr.
(February 13, 1926 – August 2, 2012)

II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.”

Fredrick Leroy Wilkinson, Sr. was born February 13, 1926 and passed away at 6:40 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 86, a native of McComb, MS and a resident of Amite, LA

Mr. Leroy was a US Marine Veteran of WWII who fought in the South Pacific Marine Squadron VMF 215. He was a 3rd generation Blacksmith of Claude Wilkinson & Son until his retirement in 2000 after 55 years.

Mr. Leroy is survived by 2 daughters, Faye Wilkinson Singleton and husband Wayne and Margie Wilkinson Cutrer; 3 sons, Claude William Wilkinson and wife Minnie, Fredrick Leroy, Jr. and wife Debbie and Michael Wayne and wife Chris; sister, Catherine Wilkinson Harrell;; 9 grandchildren, Brandon Lee Wilkinson and wife Alicia, Emily Wilkinson Dawson and husband, Steve, Kevin Wilkinson, Dustin Wilkinson, Jacob Wilkinson and wife Hannah, Jordan Wilkinson, Forrest Wilkinson, Evan Wilkinson and Haley Wilkinson; 6 great-children, Brittany Elizabeth Prevost, Brennen Gabriel Wilkinson, Ashlyn Margaret Wilkinson, McKay Wilkinson, Emma Dawson & Kenlea Blaise Wilkinson; special friend and companion, Zillah GeLaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Ellen Bailey Wilkinson; 2 sisters, Marquerite Wilkinson Travis Vernon and Helen Wilkinson; brother Willie Wilkinson.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 pm. and on Sunday, August 5, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Mark Leto officiating. Interment in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55(Exit#46) and Hwy. 16W, behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic & Holiday Inn Express.

He was the last of our family blacksmiths.  His quiet spirit and his occupation didn’t seem to go together, but he made it work well.

Leroy Wilkinson, Sr. of Amite passed away.  He and Momma were first cousins.  He had a kind, gentle way that showed Jesus lived in him.  Now he lives with Jesus.

Norman “Wayne” Forrest
(March 4, 1945 – July 30, 2012)

A resident of Spring Creek, he died at 7:55 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2012 at his home. He was born March 4, 1945 in Magnolia, MS and was 67 years of age. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek. Survived by wife, Mardell Spears Forrest, Spring Creek, 4 sons, Robert Glenn McNabb and his wife, Angela, Pike County, MS, Benny McNabb and his wife, Tanya, Kentwood, Kelly McNabb, Kentwood, Claude Forrest and his wife, Elaine, Spring Creek, grandchildren, William McNabb, Jessie McNabb, Dillon McNabb, Ko1by McNabb, Taryn McNabb, Reagon McNabb, Eric Milton, Trevin Forrest, Ava Daniels, brother, Earl Forrest and his wife, Ann, Mt. Hermon, sister, Ivy Berle Blades and her husband Jewel, Spring Creek. Preceded in death by parents, Norman and Ertie Forrest, grandson, Jordan McNabb, brother, Dale Forrest, mother-in-law, Levade “Maw Maw” Ballard, father-in-law, Homer Spears. Pallbearers will be his 4 sons and Kent Muse and Troy “Rollover” Adams, Honorary pallbearers will be Frog Blades, Charlie Blades, Lewis Lee, Russell Crawford, and Trent Spears. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.