He was retired from Chicago Transit and a Christian. He was a man of God, a strong, kind man, who loved gardening, working, hunting and fishing. He was always the life of the party and a man of great wisdom and integrity. He was also a man who lived to add joy, laughter, and good food to every life he touched. He was incomparable, undeniable, unbelievable, and absolutely unforgettable. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Tonia Wilkes; brothers, Smedia Wilkes, Jr. and Vance Wilkes; sisters, Linda Kay Wilkes and Dorothy Lee Dot Wilkes.
Survivors include his four loving daughters, Kim of Fremont, CA, Monique of Madison, WI, Veliscia (Darnell) of Homewood, IL, and Tonette of Fayetteville, AR; four devoted sons, Vareck (Cynthia) of Hillside, IL, Mario (Masika) of Olympia Fields, IL, Garnett (Sara) of Lyon, IL and Devario of Monticello, AR; four brothers, Cleolen "Cleo" of Oak Park, IL, Leonard (Sonya) of Lynwood, IL, Mark of Monticello, AR, and Timothy "Tim" of Monticello, AR; four sisters, Mary of Monticello, AR, Bennie of Belleville, IL, Patricia "Pat" of Monticello, AR, and Shirley (Geneo) of Sherwood, AR; and a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all around the country.
There will be a virtual funeral service at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2021, on the Stephenson-Dearman website. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
The staff of Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home would like to issue a statement regarding the virtual memorial service of Mr. Garnett Wilkes which was held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2021:
For those that participated in Mr. Wilkes zoom memorial service, it was very obvious that the service was hacked by someone through the zoom software. The content of the hack was very distasteful and inappropriate not to mention devastating to the family, as well as our funeral home staff. We are going to implore all avenues to find out who the responsible party is and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to this dear family as they, along with our staff, spent hours organizing and planning this virtual service due to the Covid pandemic. If anyone has knowledge of who may be responsible for this, we ask that you contact the funeral home or a local law enforcement official.
Condolences(24)
Dorothy Glover
, AR Monday, September 6, 2021Sorry for your loss. Brothers are so special Love you Mary and Pat and families Reg and Dorothy Glover
Joey Robinson & family
Brandon, MS Monday, September 6, 2021 We love you all and are praying for you .Mae
Saint Louis, MO Sunday, September 5, 2021 The Wilkes Family is a great family. Garnett Wilkes is a great man. He lives on within us. His greatness lives within our memories and through our actions today and in the future. God bless Garnett Wilkes’ descendants, extended family and friends. God bless the readers of these words.Theresa Blackburn
Springdale, AR Sunday, September 5, 2021 Mr. Wilkes was a kind, gentle funny man when I first met him. Treated me like family on that first day and I will never forget him for that. You are resting now with our Heavenly father. God knew that we all loved you but he needed you in heaven. Rest well and until we meet again..... to the Wikes family and especially Tonette and Talia, I love you and you know that I am here for you always! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time ❤Theresa Blackburn
Springdale, AR Sunday, September 5, 2021 Mr. Wilkes was a kind and funny soul to me. I met him once but it felt like I've known him for years like I've known Tonette. You are resting with our Heavenly father now but will be missed here on earth by all whom loved you. Rest in peace and may God grant your family peace during this time. I love you Tonette and Talia and I am praying for you and the rest of your family.Love,
Theresa❤
Jeannie Jones
Monticello, AR Sunday, September 5, 2021 Praying for you'll during the berreavement of your loss God will strengthen you be with you.Gloria Ruburn
Monticello, AR Sunday, September 5, 2021 So sorry for your loss, Prayers of comfort for a ll the family .Varlanda Wilkes
Chicago, IL Friday, September 3, 2021 I’m literally lost for words … I was just on the phone with you not to long ago for an hour talking about everything and how when I got laid off again me and the twins was coming out there to visit you now this.. fly high papa love youDenisha Ornsby Young
Monticello, AR Friday, September 3, 2021 Sending Love, Prayers, and Healing Energy to the entire family. I love you all!Bruce Brown
MONTICELLO, AR Friday, September 3, 2021 So sorry for your loss. Y'all are in our prayersMelanie Rawls
Monticello, AR Wednesday, September 1, 2021 Prayers for this beautiful familyBennie Briggs
Pine Bluff, AR Wednesday, September 1, 2021 Sorry for your loss. Love Bennie and MaryDebbie Reeves
Wilmar, AR Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Tonette and Shirley. Your family is in our prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you all.Tommy Shaw
Galt ca, TX Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Sorry for your lossRaymond Chisom
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Pat, Timmy, Bennie and the rest of the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. God Bless each of you.james tucker
pine bluff, AR Sunday, August 29, 2021 sorry for your lost of your love ones.JAMES TUCKER & fAMILY.
Nann Miller
Kennett Square, PA Sunday, August 29, 2021 My sincere condolences to you and your extended family, Tonette. It was a privilege to have meet him and to know him through your stories. May the memories of you father comfort you and his spirit inspire you as you travel on your life path. You are in my heart.Pearline Bealer
Monticello, AR Friday, August 27, 2021 To the Wilkes and Family May your Brother and my Friend RIP and God each of you I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ stay safe enjoy your Evening you have my CondolencesPearline Bealer,
Justus Hudspeth Jr
Huntsville, AL Friday, August 27, 2021 There is a time for everything, and a season for everyActivity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1. Sending our
Deepest love and support for the Wilkes family, may
God’s peace continue to cover each family member, I
Know what God does will endure forever, with Love from
Our Hearts The Hudspeth’s.
Troy Foster
Monticello, AR Friday, August 27, 2021 God’s Love is a perfect love, a caring love, a lasting live may God Bless you all.Dr. Sam Wherry PhD
Little Rock, AR Thursday, August 26, 2021 Garnett Wilkes a true Fellow and Friend passed from Mortality into Immortality Monday, August 23, 2021, with a Par Excellent Accomplished Contributary Renowned Secular Fruitful Life Career in Chicago and Retired Finale back home in Monticello, Arkansas.I Dr. Sam Wherry will forever be grateful to Garnett Wilkes and the following gives Validity and Integrity thereof:
GARNETT WILKES Tribute:
When one grew and remanence back over the Entities that were influential/mentor, in particular, leaving the Rural Confines of the Arkansas Southeast Sector 2nd & 3rd 🌎World Socioeconomic Lower Mississippi Delta Mid-South USA Monticello, Arkansas via the University of Arkansas-Monticello to the Nations Third Greatest Metropolis (Chicago) an influential mentor who has successfully Mastered South Chicago and one outstanding accomplished vocational specialist, Garnett Wilkes was that entity that mentored me (Dr. Sam Wherry) to handle the Pro's and Con's of South Chicago that was indifferent from within the Quadrants of the campus of the University of Chicago. Garnett Wilkes after more than a successful tenure in the Windy City returned home to Monticello where he exemplifies via his upper-middle socioeconomic status that Achievements have validity for African American Men without Academic Credentials but a determined unconditional initiative he accomplished in the vocations and real estate investments in Chicago.
Garnett Wilkes is an outstanding Fellow Role Model for African American Adolescents/Men-Women Rural or Urban.
GARNETT WILKES
May God's Favor and Covering upon the Family and Friends during the time of Bereavement of this outstanding contribution Man of Honor, Integrity, and Monumental Achievement.
So it Be!!!
GARNETT WILKES
Conya Spencer
Lonoke, AR Wednesday, August 25, 2021 To the my sweet "Free Spirited Butterfly" adopted daughter Tonette and the Wilkes Family. I only knew Mr. Garnett through Tonette and I know she loved her daddy. This tells me that he was a good man. My condolences to you all. We are praying that God's peace and comfort be extended in abundance during this initial time of bereavement and in the days, months, and years ahead.Pearline Bealer
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 24, 2021 To the Wilkes and Families my Friends May He RIP you have my Condolences and God give you strength and peace Stay Safe enjoy your Day Pearline Bealer.Bonita Yount
Stillwater, OK Tuesday, August 24, 2021 So sorry for your loss. Mr. Garnett was such a sweet man. A gentlemen to all. I shall remember him fondly. Praying for you all.