Grady Henry Wilkes

Other Events and Attributes:

• SSN issued: North Carolina, USA
• Social Security Number: 240-16-7953
• Residence: 1900, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1910, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 23 Jan 1920, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA; StreetAddress: Fatla Creek; Age: 24; Occupation: Miner; AbleToSpeakEnglish: Yes; CanRead: Yes; CanWrite: Yes; EnumerationDistrict: 137; HomeMortgaged: Free; HomeOwnership: Owned; Industry: Nica; IsEmployed: Wage or Salary; MaritalStatus: Married; RelationToHead: Head
• Residence: 1930, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Died:
Grady Henry Wilkes, 71, a native Maconian, who was born the son of the late James and Linda Reeves Wilkes, died Sunday morning. Death occurred at the C. J. Harris Community Hospital Sylva. Mr. Wilkes, a farmer, had been in declining health a number of years.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Olive Hill Gospel Chapel. Rev. Earl Gant, pastor, and the Rev. Judson Duvall conducted the service. Burial followed in the Wilkes Family Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Ricky Wilburn, Larry, James and Ellis Wilkes, Jay Seay and Jim Passmore.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Annie Bryant Wilkes; two sons, Herman Wilkes, of Franklin, Route 1, and Clifton Walker, of Rockmart, Georgia; five daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Deweese, Mrs. Frances Passmore, Mrs. Leona Walker, Mrs. Eugene Dills, all of Franklin and Mrs. Kay Houston, of Highlands, four sisters, Mrs. Mary Bryson, of Atlanta, Georgia, Mrs. Zadie Roper, of Monticello, Georgia, Mrs. Nannie Bryant and Mrs. Nell Morgan, of Franklin.

Bryant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Published: The Franklin Press (poor film) December 14, 1967
from Find A Grave

Family/Spouse: Annie Bryant. Annie was born on 12 Jul 1903 in North Carolina, USA; died on 4 Sep 1970 in Macon, North Carolina, USA; was buried in Wilkes Cemetery, Burningtown, Macon, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Beatrice Bernice DeWeese
• Residence: 1930, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

A lady with class: Beatrice Deweese lets her light shine

By Matthew L. Baker

For The Franklin Press 21 May 2009
http://www.thefranklinpress.com/articles/2009/05/21/living_in_macon/01living.txt

My friend Beatrice Deweese, is a model of commitment to God, family, and country and also a member of "The Greatest Generation." Although she'll soon be 89, Mrs. Bea as her friends call her, still keeps house, tends a garden and firmly proclaims, "I just don't want to be a burden to anybody."

Beatrice Wilkes was born in the Olive Hill community on June 9, 1920. Born to Grady Wilkes and Annie Bryant Wilkes, Bea was older than her brothers and sisters. She herself wasn't blessed with children, but she claimed later in life that she was a mother because she was the oldest child and took care of all of her brothers and sisters.

Grady Wilkes was a big influence in his daughter's life. It was only natural that she helped him in the fields since she was the oldest." My dad was the most honest man there ever was. He said that if he got any money and he owed somebody, that it wasn't his until he had paid the money that he owed," she recalled. Grady Wilkes was also fond of yellow root tea and gave it to the children for nearly everything that ailed them.

Mrs. Bea remembered vividly the hard times of her youth. Her daddy often worked all day for a 25-pound bag of flour. If he was lucky to work for a wage, he'd get 10 cents an hour.

"A dime was worth something then," she told me. Her daddy took a stick and measured her feet for new shoes. Kids then got one pair of shoes and went barefooted in the summer.

People either grew or made most everything they needed, because nobody had any money and going to town was a long trip. John Roper ran the Rolling Store up through Oakdale and down Olive Hill. He made a lot of stops and brought staples such as flour and sugar. Bea often ran out of the house with her brothers and sisters to meet him and see what he had to sell that day.

Mrs. Bea came of age during the Hoover days.

Hoover declared, "A dollar a day and a pair of overalls were enough for any man." The trouble was that many people had nether of the two. The Bank of Franklin failed and if anyone had anything in it, they lost it. Bea told me that her family "didn't lose anything because we didn't have anything to lose."

In those days, a family on hard times had no assistance, as we know it today. It was "root hog or die" as someone once said. The church family couldn't help much because they were "poorer than Job's turkey," Mrs. Bea told me. The Red Cross handed out some material for dresses, but that's about all that there was.

"The old days were hard times, but good times," Mrs. Bea remembered. The neighbors often pitched in and had barn raisings. Men would gather up materials and put up a barn while the women cooked meals. Grady Wilkes worked at the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp and contracted measles while working there. The whole family except Bea, got the measles. This left her milking the cows and keeping house, until she got hurt and couldn't do it. The neighbors pitched in until everyone was well.

Olive Hill School stands lonely and worse for wear at the intersection of Carson Cove Road. In the old days, it was the center of activity in the community. Bea remembered fondly her days of attending school there. The kids often brought their lunch in a lard bucket. One day a family of kids brought their lard bucket to school but they got the wrong bucket. "They went to eat and all they had was a bucket of honey," she laughed.

Kids then played a game that the old-timers called "Antne Over" (Annie Over). A group of kids would stand on each side of the schoolhouse while one side yelled "Annie" and the other side yelled "Over." They would throw a ball back and forth and whoever caught it the most times won.

Teachers back then were allowed to discipline students more than teachers do today. When the students misbehaved, the teachers would send them outside to break off a switch and then come in and receive their punishment. School wasn't emphasized as much in those days. The school year lasted only from July until Christmas. Students took a recess in July when blackberries were ripe, so they could help pick them.

In those days, the closest church was in Iotla, a long walk away. Olive Hill School served as a school and church. Revivals were a big event in those days and lasted two weeks at a time. There was standing room only every evening as praying, preaching and singing ran on into the night. Seekers went forward and Christian people would gather around them and pray for them. Bea recalled that the most important moment of her life occurred at age 14 when she went forward and accepted Christ at one of those Olive Hill revivals. "My faith is what sustains me," she later told me. There was always a baptizing at the end of the revival, for those who had been saved.

Bea married Cornell Deweese in 1939. The war broke out shortly after they married and she remembered that Cornell didn't have to go overseas because he had asthma.

"Couples then married to stay together," she told me. Cornell and Bea were married 60 years before he passed away.

WWII brought about a lot of change. All the young, able bodied men had to go off to fight the war. Up until this time, there were few jobs for women, but with a large portion of the labor force overseas, women were needed in the workforce. Many had to "lay in there and plow," as they were left to hold down home and hearth.

WWII was the first war in which women served in great numbers. They were called WACS (Women's Army Corps). The women's branch of the US Army was officially created on May 14, 1942. Many women served as nurses and in other non-combat positions.

Bea worked at a public job for the first time, just as many women did during WWII. She trimmed mica on Carson Cove with her sister Frances, while her husband Cornell worked in the mine. Bea remembered that she was paid a dollar per pound of mica and could do pretty well if the mica was good. Often they got what was called "washer punches," mica that was small and didn't work very well.

Bea was listening to the radio on the day Roosevelt declared the war was over. She said that when the announcement came, people ran out of houses, hollering and cheering as church bells rang in celebration that the war had ended.

While we were visiting, I noticed Mrs. Bea's Bible lying on the table. We talked about how important her faith was to her. The hardest time in her life was when her husband Cornell passed away, and she told me that she probably wouldn't have made it had the Lord not been with her. She cited John 3:16 (For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life") as her favorite Bible verse.

"It sums up the Scripture in a nutshell and can make your life straight," she told me. "It's not all been flowery beds of ease, but I've been blessed with wonderful family and enjoyed a reasonable portion of health. I want to be remembered for just what I am. If I've got an enemy in this world, I don't know who they are. I can put my arms around anybody and tell them that I love them. That's a good feeling to have when I lay down at night!"


Died:
Beatrice Bernice Deweese, 99, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Born in Macon Co, she was the daughter of the late Grady and Annie Bryant Wilkes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Cornell Deweese; two brothers, Herman and Clifton Wilkes and two sisters, Leona Wilkes and Frances Passmore. Beatrice was the oldest active member of Burningtown Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sisters, Eugenia Dills of Franklin and Kay Houston (Mike) of Highlands and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 1st in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Jim Kinard and Rev. Charles Stevens will officiate. Burial will be in the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 31st at Macon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Eddie Simonds, 279 Edwards Rd, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

https://www.maconfuneralhome.com/memorials/beatrice-deweese/4087551/index.php

Beatrice married Marvin Cornell Deweese in 1939 in Macon, North Carolina, USA. Marvin (son of Joseph Deweese and Margaret Lucinda Wilkes) was born on 9 Dec 1913 in Macon, North Carolina, USA; died on 30 Oct 2000 in Highlands, Macon, North Carolina, USA; was buried in Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery, Macon, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Social Security Number: 245-24-1297
• Residence: 1930, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1942, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Military: 8 Dec 1942, Camp Croft, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA
• Military: 15 Dec 1942; Enlistment Date 1
• other: 26 Apr 1946; Release Date 1
• Military: 13 Jun 1947; Enlistment Date 2
• other: 18 Mar 1949; Release Date 2
• SSN issued: Bef 1951, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 29 Aug 1977, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1995, Macon, North Carolina, USA

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Nell Candis Dowell. Nell was born on 13 Jun 1930 in Macon, North Carolina, USA; died on 14 Nov 2011 in Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA; was buried on 17 Nov 2011 in Tellico Baptist Church Cemetery, Franklin, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• SSN issued: North Carolina, USA
• Residence: Polk, Georgia, USA
• Social Security Number: 244-24-6748
• Residence: 1930, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Death: 3 Oct 1992, Rockmart, Polk, Georgia, USA
• Vital: 7 Oct 1992; Certificate number: 039682.

Family/Spouse: Irene Ratcliff. Irene was born on 13 Apr 1925; died on 24 Jul 2000 in Rockmart, Polk, Georgia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Frances H. Passmore
• Social Security Number: 245-40-2692
• Residence: 1930, Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA
• SSN issued: Bef 1951, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Died:
Frances Helen Passmore, 82, of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Grady Wilkes and Annie Bryant Wilkes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pearl Passmore, a son, Jim Passmore, infant daughter, Joyce; grandson, Jimmy Passmore; two brothers, Herman and Clifton Wilkes; and sister, Leona Wilkes. Frances was a member of Burningtown Baptist Church.

She is survived by three grandchildren, Kim Angel and Janet Norman both of Franklin and Josh Passmore of Tampa, FL; daughter-in-law, Linda Passmore of Franklin; three sisters, Beatrice DeWeese and Eugenia “Jean” Dills both of Franklin and Kay Houston of Highlands; three great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 13, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Steve Reeves, Rev. Jim Kinard and Rev. John Raby will officiate. Burial will be in the Wilkes Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Fred Dills, Rick Dills, Daniel Houston, Ellis Wilkes, Jesse Turpin and Jack Creighton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wilkes Cemetery, C/O Linda Passmore, 2566 Olive Hill Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences @www.maconfuneralhome.com

http://maconfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/125921/Passmore-Frances/obituary.php

Family/Spouse: Pearl M Passmore. Pearl was born on 13 Sep 1905 in Georgia, USA; died on 10 Jun 1977 in Macon, North Carolina, USA; was buried in Wilkes Cemetery, Burningtown, Macon, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Race: White

Notes:

Died:
Age: 1 Months

Other Events and Attributes:

• Social Security Number: 238-44-1559
• SSN issued: Bef 1951, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Died:
Gladys "Leona" Wilkes, 75, of Franklin, entered into rest on Sunday, September 4, 2005.

A native of Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Grady Wilkes and Annie Bryant Wilkes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Clifton and Herman Wilkes.

She is survived by four sisters, Beatrice B. Deweese, Frances H. Passmore and Jean Dills all of Franklin, Kay Houston of Highlands; nine nephews and six nieces.

Funeral Services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Jim Kinard, Rev. Bobby McClure and Tony Drinnon officiated.
Burial was in the Wilkes Cemetery.

The family received friends from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Fred Dills, Ricky Dills, Daniel Houston, Ellis Wilkes, Charlie Sherrill and Joe Dills.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wilkes Cemetery Fund, C/O Linda Passmore, 2566 Olive Hill Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com

http://maconfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/117286/Wilkes-Gladys-Leona/obituary.php

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Infant when died

Notes:

Died:
Ellis Henry Wilkes, age 67, of Franklin, NC, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014.

He was born in Macon County, the son of Ruth Tallent Wilkes and the late Henry Herman Wilkes. He was married to Dorothy Green Wilkes, who died in 2011. He was owner of Wilkes Paint and Body Shop. He was a loving father, enjoyed working on old cars, hunting and fishing. He was a member of Olive Hill Gospel Chapel.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by two sons, Wesley Ray Wilkes and his wife Vickie and Mitchell Ellis Wilkes and his wife Nina all of Franklin, NC; a sister, Tammy Robbins of Franklin, NC; two brothers, Terry Wilkes of South Carolina and Allen Wilkes of Franklin, NC.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 20th at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Bryant Grant Funeral Home, with Rev. Barry Bowman and Rev. Terry Wilkes officiating.

Burial will be in Wilkes Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Danny McLean, Tony Ellis, John Price, Donald Messer, Justin Messer, and Ben Messer.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 till 2:00 pm Wednesday, one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

https://www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com/obituary/Ellis-Wilkes

Family/Spouse: Dorothy Marie Green. Dorothy was born on 11 Mar 1946 in Macon, North Carolina, USA; died on 23 Jan 2011 in Sylva, Jackson, North Carolina, USA; was buried on 25 Jan 2011 in Wilkes Cemetery, Burningtown, Macon, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• SSN issued: Georgia, USA
• Social Security Number: 260-94-6258

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Joyce M Passmore
• Residence: Franklin, Macon, North Carolina, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Social Security Number: 244-17-9300
• SSN issued: 1975, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Died:
Billy L. Dills, 44, of Franklin, entered into rest Thursday, October 27, 2005

A native of Gaston County, NC, living in Macon County most of his life, he was the son of Arnold Ray and Eugenia Wilkes Dills. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Dills, who died in 2003. Billy was employed by the Macon County Board of Education as a custodian. He was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his wife of six years, Alice Dills; three children, Maria, Rebecca, and Casey Dills all of Franklin; four brothers, Freddie, Larry and Ronnie Dills all of Franklin, and Ricky Dills of Lawrenceville, GA; two sisters, Debbie Brown of Dallas, NC and Kathy Dukes of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 29, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Andy Cloer will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, one hour prior to the Service, at the Funeral Home.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Macon, North Carolina, USA
• Vital: 9 Jun 2003

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Kathy J Dukes
• Residence: 2014, Claypool, Kosciusko, Indiana, USA

Notes:

Died:
Kathy J. Dukes, 54, of Claypool (Beaver Dam Lake), passed away at 1:50 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at her residence.

She was born on Feb. 1, 1960, in Franklin, N.C., to Ray and Eugenia (Wilkes) Dills.

She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her mother; a daughter: Lisa Sherrill, North Carolina; sons: Benjamin Jones, Warsaw; Kevin Gates, North Carolina; brothers: Larry, Akron; Rick, Atlanta, Ga.; Fred, North Carolina; three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a father; brother; and a sister.

Following her wishes, no services will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Services.

http://www.inkfreenews.com/2014/11/10/kathy-j-dukes/

Kathy married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]