Memorial services for Mary Jean Wilkinson, 87, of Fairview, OK., will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 21, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, Fairview, Oklahoma.  Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Mary Jean (Rigg) Wilkinson was born June 10, 1934 in Dacoma, Oklahoma to William A. Rigg and Nelle Carroll Rigg Mengers. She departed this life on October 15, 2021 at Storey Oaks Memory Care in Oklahoma City.

Mary started school in Fairview but moved to Alexandria, VA with the family during World War II. After the war, the family returned to Oklahoma, and Mary graduated from Classen High School (OKC) in 1952. Mary and James A. (Jim) Wilkinson were married June 7, 1952 at the First Christian Church in Oklahoma City. After the Korean conflict, Mary and Jim started their careers in Tulsa. Three children were born of this marriage: Jamee, Sherry, and Scott.

When the children were established in school, Mary enrolled in the School of Nursing at Tulsa University. Mary was active in school and church activities. She was an officer in the Tulsa Bar Association Auxiliary, active in the Tulsa Junior Chamber of Commerce Auxiliary, and was honored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the D.A.R. in 1965. Mary was an officer and member of P.E.O. for many years.

The family moved to Albuquerque, NM, where Mary completed her Nursing degree at the University of Albuquerque. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Albuquerque, and upon returning to Fairview (where she had spent time as a child) in 1973, she worked at Fairview Regional Medical Center until her retirement.

Mary grew up in the church. She gave her life to the Lord at a very young age. She and Jim were devoted youth sponsors in their church for a number of years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fairview.

Mary loved to travel and especially cherished the time she spent with family. After retirement, she traveled with her mother to many countries and on several cruises. She was always interested in exposing the grandchildren to the arts, taking them on many educational trips. In later years, she spent time with her daughters traveling coast to coast and helping daughter, Sherry, travel with college students and lead trainings. Jim and Mary liked to celebrate their wedding anniversary by taking special trips at home and abroad.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and brother, William C. Rigg of Tyler, TX.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Jim, daughters, Jamee Goldstein (Brian) of Enid, OK and Sherry Shaw (Jim) of Jacksonville, FL, and son, James Scott Wilkinson of Hot Springs, AR.  Mary, affectionately known as 'Gran', is survived by eight grandchildren; Ryan Willingham (Kelley) of Carrollton, TX., Derek Willingham (Pamela Wong) of Pearland, TX., Brian Seidl (LeeAna) of Colorado Springs, CO., Austin Shaw of Biloxi, MS., Kevin Seidl (Heather) of Enid, OK., Rachel Zavala (Jose) of Jacksonville, FL., Angela Walden (Jonathan) of Atlanta, GA., Sarah Hayworth (Luke) of Chattanooga, TN., and 8 great grandchildren Katelyn Soard, Isabella Seidl, Gabriella Seidl, Madelyn Seidl, Jeremiah Seidl, Julian Olivera, McKenzie Seidl, and Rose Willingham.