ROZELLA WILKERSON

Funeral services for Rozella Wilkerson, 80, of Hemphill, Texas will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2023 in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Frank Hamilton officiating. She passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 surrounded by her loving family in Beaumont, Texas. Burial will follow services in Macedonia Cemetery, Hemphill, Texas with her grandsons, Benjamin Wilkerson, Tony Hall, Jr., Christopher Jackson, Jr., Jeffrey Crawford, Jr., Charles Lee Proctor, III, Malik Chevalier Wilkerson and Celvin Leamon Proctor serving as pallbearers.

Rozella Thomas Wilkerson was born to Verline and Alton “Toog” Thomas on May 16, 1943 in Hemphill, TX as a part of the Robertson Bend Community that went under during the construction of the Toledo Bend Damn. Her full educational journey began and ended at the Thomas Johnson School in the Thomas Johnson Community of Hemphill, TX. Rose was a most gentle soul which is probably why God allowed her to meet her soul mate and best friend, Ben Wilkerson, very young in life. She would always say, “Anything I wanted or needed, I knew my husband was going to make sure I got it.” And he did. From this union came 3 beautiful daughters, Vermykia, Benita, and Myshekia.

Rose became a member of the Church of Christ at an early age. She and Ben lived a large portion of their life in Port Arthur, TX land where they raised their daughters and were members of Thomas Blvd Church of Christ. While living there they also had the absolute pleasure of becoming who they were best, GRANDPARENTS! While taking care of her family, she also had a career as a tax consultant at H&R Block for over 20 years.

After raising all of her daughters, Rose and Ben moved back to Hemphill, TX where she could choose to fall asleep holding a grand or great-grand… or while playing spades and not miss a book. This is where she and her family were members of the Thomas Johnson Church of Christ in Hemphill, TX until God called her home.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Alton and Verline Thomas, her beloved husband of 55+ years, Ben Wilkerson, and daughter, Benita Wilkerson. Her brother, Oliver T. Thomas, also preceded her in death.

Rose leaves to mourn two daughters, Vermykia and Myshekia, 15 Grandchildren; 34 Great-Grandchildren, in which many of them carry the middle name “Rose”, 5 sweet sisters, Venola Thomas, Arlene Thomas, Avis Thomas, Sandy Thomas and Dortha Wilkerson Meeks, her special little brother, Elton Wayne Thomas, and many, many other cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and life-long friends than one could ever imagine.

Her family will welcome visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas.

Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome.com.