Rita G Wilkins

RITA GAYLE NUNN WILKINS, 59, of the Emberson community, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, sister-in-law and friend, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday February 6, 2011 at Paris Regional Medical Center. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Friday February 11, 2011 at the Emberson Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Reed officiating. Burial will follow in the Springhill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Rita was born May 6, 1951 in Foreman, Arkansas, a daughter of Raymond and Ella Jo Stanley Nunn. She attended Delmar School and was a member of the Emberson Baptist Church. She loved her family and friends, and loved attending her church, playing card games and tending to her animals. She was the rock upon which her family relied.

She married Jerry Wilkins on November 28, 1968 in Paris.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jerry Leon Wilkins, Jr.; grandparents Oce Stanley, Josephine Stanley and Gladys Woodall; and by her in-laws, Pete and Leta Wilkins.

Survivors include her husband Jerry, of the home; daughters Tresa Gayle Upton, Stephanie Gayle Musick and husband Bubba; grandchildren Jerry Musick and wife Stephanie Maria, Frankie Musick and wife Leigha, Will Musick, Stormie Musick and husband T.J., Travis Upton and wife Danni, Chelsea Upton, Bryson Wilkins, Korey Walker, Randa Thompson, Paula Thompson; great-grandchildren Jerry Musick, Jr. (Little Man), Kyler and Rayna Musick, Mayle Jo Upton, and Daron Justice; sisters Gladys Shipman and husband Bill, Margaret Allen and husband Jerry, Linda English Bauman and husband Joe, Cindy Armstrong and husband Ed, Gwen Patterson and friend Bruce; numerous nieces, nephews, sister and brothers-in-law; and many friends. There was no doubt that she loved them all very much.

Named to serve as pallbearers are Jerry Musick, Jerry Musick, Jr. (Little Man), T.J. Sides, Kyler Musick, Korey Walker, Frankie Musick, Travis Upton and Will Musick.