Bessie Mae Wilkes Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Bessie Mae Wilkes of Sumter, South Carolina, born in Florence, South Carolina, who passed away on December 23, 2023 at the age of 90. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
She was predeceased by: her husband Clarence J. Wilkes Sr. of Sumter; her parents, Richard C. Lawhon and Blanche Lawhon Lee; her son Robert Stacy Wilkes; and her siblings, Monroe Lawhon, Duncan Lawhon, Dewey Lawhon, Swain Lawhon, Ira Lawhon, William Lawhon, Hugh Lawhon, C. C. Lawhon, Patricia Lawhon Walker and Mary Nell Lawhon.
She is survived by: her children, Regenia W. Owens (Howard) of Sumter, Clarence J. Wilkes Jr. (Janet) of Sumter, Sandra W. Johnson (Mitchell) of Sumter and Ronnie Wilkes (Yvonne) of Sumter; her grandchildren, Jennifer Smith (Eric) of Sumter, Chanon Griffith (Jamey) of Sumter, Joshua Wilkes (Jessica) of Sumter, Staci Burnette (Eric) of Sumter, Rev. Howie Owens (Julia) of Sumter and Ashley McCarthy (Jason) of Pawley's Island; and her great grandchildren, Aaron Mitchell Griffith (Elizabeth), Caroline Peyton Griffith, Taylor Danielle Smith Horton (Sam), Miles Benjamin McCarthy, Leander Stone McCarthy, Conrad Wilkes Burnette, Carson Bell Burnette, Tucker Huffman Burnette, Sims James Owens, Anna-Jane Jackson Owens, Elijah Colt Wilkes and Adalee Jeanne Wilkes.
