Mabel Virginia Wilkins

Mabel Virginia Wilkins, the daughter of Joab and Gracie Eunice (Babcock) Dyer, was born September 14, 1919 near Bay Creek in Shannon County, Missouri. She passed away August 22, 2020 at the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri following a brief illness making her age 100 years, 11 months and 8 days.

Growing up, Mabel attended the Black Pond School where she met the love of her life, Vernon Wilkins. She and Vernon were married March 24, 1934 and lived on a farm in the Black Pond Community where they were blessed with two children, Marvin Douglas and Cleta Darlene. They were married over 48 years until Vernon’s passing in 1983.

Mabel was a hard worker, whether it be as a homemaker or working alongside Vernon on the farm. She later worked as a seamstress at the Angelica Uniform Company in both Eminence and Mountain View.

She attended the Rock Garden Christian Church in West Eminence for many years and later attended the Grace Baptist Church in Summersville. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over 70 years. Mabel received her 50 year pin on April 28, 2007, was a past Matron and held the office of Star Point of Esther for many years.

Never one to stay idle, if Mabel wasn’t working on the farm (or in her later years, supervising the grandchildren on where the rocks were that needed picked) she could also be found cutting wood or in the garden. Brush and multiflora rose bushes were not safe if she had her loppers in her hand, nor were any rattlesnakes that ventured too close to her and the loppers! She also enjoyed making and giving away quilts and completing Word Search books.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joab and Gracie Dyer; her husband Vernon; sisters, Ruth Patterson, Helen Dyer and Avis Rayfield and brothers, Harry Dyer, Shelby Dyer and Wm. Bill Dyer.
Mabel is survived by her son, Marvin Wilkins and his wife Marilyn; her daughter, Cleta Barnes; grandchildren, Steve Wilkins, Alison Haveman, Sam Jewett, Vernon Wilkins, Timothy Barnes and Connie Barnes; great-grandchildren, Damian, Randall and Montana Goodman, William Wilkins, Claire, Emily and Olivia Jewett and a great-great grandson, Blake Wilkins as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mabel will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved her.