Mildred Louise Wilkes

Mildred Louise Wilkes, 97, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 5, 2021, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, for family and friends. There will be no visitation service. Mildred was born September 4, 1923, in Ottawa, the daughter of William and Fannie Falenia (Garrett) Clayborne. She was the youngest and last of 7 children. She graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1940. She then moved to Chicago, Illinois and returned to Ottawa in the mid-1960’s. Mildred was united in marriage to King Randell, Alvin Ellis in 1953, and Bishop Jesse Wilkes in 1978. All preceded her in death. Mildred was employed at Washington National Insurance in Chicago as a secretary. She later did clerical work for DCF (KS Department for Children & Families) in Ottawa from 2000 to 2004. She was a faithful member at previous churches including Church of the Living God, Olathe, Kansas, Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ, Ottawa, and Bethany Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, also in Ottawa. She was a Sunday school teacher, an usher, was on the mother board, and worked in the missionary department. Mildred enjoyed sewing, knitting, cooking, and baking. She always looked forward to spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and friends. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters; daughter-in-law, Thelma Lewis; grandson Steven Lewis; and one step great-granddaughter Chelsea Shanklin-Lewis. Survivors include her son, Wendell L. Lewis, Sr. of Ottawa; three grandchildren, Wendell L. Lewis, Jr. of Ottawa, Sheila Cunningham (William) also of Ottawa, and Karen Lewis of Raymore, Missouri; five great-grandchildren Karessa Johnson, Dominick Lewis (Mollie), Devin Lewis, Cydney Lewis, and Andre Lewis; and four great-great-grandchildren Quincey Lewis, Kiara Lewis, Julian Johnson Lewis, and Aniyah Lewis. The family suggests memorial contributions to Second Baptist Church of Olathe c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.