Jeri Lowell Wilkins

Jeri Lowell Wilkins passed away on March 23, 2023.

Jeri was born in Corinth Mississippi, on December 16, 1953 to Luther and Ethel V. (Lentz) Wilkins. He lived in Chicago, Illinois for 12 years before moving back to Mississippi. Jeri finished the 11th grade at Alcorn Central, in the Farmington Community and went on to obtain his GED in 1974.  He studied criminal justice at 4 different universities and colleges both in the USA and overseas. Jeri enlisted in the United States Navy in 1978-1982 and again in 1985-1994, active duty. He was a Religious Program Specialist (RP2) and second class Petty Officer. Jeri served in Operation Desert Shield. He received numerous awards and commendations while on active duty from the military, as well as, from the various communities both in the USA and overseas. He served on The USS Saratoga CV-60 and several foreign and domestic ports. In 1982, he married the love of his life, Mary Beth Sloan, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while in port. Jeri lived in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Okinawa, Japan, Guam US Territory, Virginia, and finally got to Texas, as soon as he could, in 1994. Milestones in his life, besides the aforementioned- June 1971: dedicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In 2020, receiving an LVAD- left-ventricular assist device, for a congenital heart condition, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was a miracle! The Lord provided everything for him, while he was there for 5 months. To God be the Glory!

The 3 vocations and his loves were law enforcement, in any capacity, truck or bus driving, and serving the churches, wherever he was a member in building and grounds. Hi hobbies were too numerous to count, but the ones that stand out- genealogy, playing spoons and tambourine, stamps, coins, post cards. Paramount in his later years, was becoming a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Jeri had 2 relatives who served honorably in the Civil War. His great-great-great grandfather received a battlefield commission, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee to the rank of Lieutenant. He enjoyed doing reenactments, reading history literature, while teaching the young and old, preserving memorials to affect a learning of our history, even after his LVAD placement. Jeri was loved by all, young and old, all ethnicities, from all over the world. He was a good and jolly soul. He never met a stranger. If it was in his capacity he saw you through your problem to the end. Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior. He rarely drifted form his Lord or backslid and was sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Preceded in death are his parents, Luther Wayne Blasingame-nephew, Barbara Harrell-niece, Guy Edward Chileski-nephew.

Survived by wife of the home Mary Beth, sister Sarah L. Blasingame of Texas, sister Shirley Chileski of Ilinois, Nanetta Settlemires- close niece, spouse Jerry; Larry Blasingame, wife Ellen; Roy Blasingame; Kay Climer; Mike Blasingame; Harry Chileski III; Mary Chileski; Margies Waskowski spouse Edward. Numerous great, great-great, great-great-great nephews and nieces all over the USA.