Odell East Wilkinson

Mrs. Odell East Wilkinson, 87, of 286 Boyd Dickens Road, Lowgap, passed away Wednesday night, September 23, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mrs. Wilkinson was born December 4, 1921, in Stokes County, to the late Jesse Reid and Lillie Mae Lynch East. Odell was a simple country person who loved tending her flowers and spending time with family and friends. She encountered many hardships, but they never diminished her positive attitude and can-do spirit. Odell was especially devoted to her grandsons, Alexander and Christopher, and delighted in news of their endeavors and accomplishments. Mrs. Wilkinson was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Airy. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Jeffrey Sutton of Olympia, WA; two grandsons, Alexander J. Sutton and Christopher D. Sutton, both of Olympia, WA; and two sisters, Elizabeth Warren of Lexington and Frances Tuttle of Burlington. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wilkinson was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Michael Wilkinson; three sisters, Maybelle Nelson, Josephine East, and Irene East; and three brothers, Willis East, Roy East, and Jack East. The funeral service will be held Sunday, September 27, 2009, at 2:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Raymond J. Hanna, Rector. Burial will follow in the Brim's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Pilot Mountain. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the caring staffs at Salemtowne and the Palliative Care Ward at Forsyth Medical Center. The family is also eternally grateful to the Trinity Episcopal Church community who have blessed Odell with their friendship and support for many years.