Delores J. Wilkerson, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, surrounded by family and friends at Oak Pointe in Carthage, Missouri.

Delores was born to the late Delmar and Mary Garner on September 13, 1930, in their family home in Sarcoxie, Missouri. She was the second of three children and the only daughter.

Delores graduated from Sarcoxie school and then traveled by bus to Springfield, Missouri to attend college at SMS. After earning 16 hours of college credit, she returned home to teach in a one-room schoolhouse, instructing children who were only a few years younger than herself. Later, she attended Missouri Southern to get her lifetime teaching degree.

After graduating from Missouri Southern, she taught first and second grade at the Avilla School. While teaching, Delores also worked as a bookkeeper at Chapman Fullmer in Avilla for eight years before she began her full-time career at Columbian School in Carthage. There, she taught and substituted in the elementary grades for approximately 50 years. In her own words, “What a pleasure it was to see her students grow, improve, and become successful.”

Delores is survived by one brother Jerry Garner (Linda) of Joplin, Missouri; her son Scott L. Wilkerson (Kim) of Carthage, Missouri; five grandchildren, Clint (Sadie) Wilkerson of Carthage, Missouri, Kelsey (Jordan) Prater of Reeds, Missouri, Marcie (Josh) Mason of Washington D.C, Taylor (Alexis) Wilkerson of Reeds, Missouri, Jacob (Makayla) Wilkerson of Carthage, Missouri; 13 great-grandchildren with one on the way, three nieces and four nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Delmar and Mary Garner; a brother, Edward (Alma Lou) Garner; her husband, Max Wilkerson, to whom she was married for 67 years; and her son, Mike Wilkerson.

Throughout her life, she remained humble and deeply thankful. Near the end of her writings, she said:

“I thank God for this opportunity to touch so many lives, and so many have touched my life.”

That may be the greatest summary of her life. She touched lives everywhere she went through her teaching, her friendship, her faith, her family, and her gentle heart.

Her legacy lives on in every student she encouraged, every child she taught, every family member she loved, and every person fortunate enough to know her.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11^th from 5-7pm at Fairview Christian Church in Carthage, Missouri. The funeral will be on Friday, June 12^th at 10am with graveside services to follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North.