Joann Wilkerson

Joann Hicks Wilkerson of Shreveport, LA, passed away on March 2, 2018, at the age of 88. Joann was born in Doddridge, Arkansas on September 28, 1929 to George Herman Hicks and Mina Wood Hicks. After graduating from Rodessa High School in 1946, she married James B."Bubba" Wilkerson, Sr. Although Jo and Bub divorced after many years of marriage, they remained lifelong friends and traveling companions until his death. A favorite place of theirs to visit was the Indian mounds at Poverty Point State Historic Sight in Epps, LA. Upon graduating Rodessa High School, Joann sought employment in Shreveport in the accounting field. Interviewing for her first position, accompanied by her mother, she landed her first job at the age of 16. Joann held various jobs over the years, while raising her children, Jody and Jimbo. These are a few of the jobs Joann had. Secretary- Christ United Methodist Church (Pastor Oscar Cloyd) Secretary/Bookkeeper - Arnold Construction Bookkeeper - Brook, Mayo & Browning Accounting Firm Office Manager/Bookkeeper - Alpha Construction President, Secretary, and Treasurer - National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC)   She most enjoyed her many years as Office Manager/Bookkeeper for Alpha Construction. She loved working for the owners, Tommy Mosley and Skeeter Davis, in addition to her co-workers Derrel Williams, Jimmy Heflin, Bobby Massey, Johnny Benton and others, considering them all good friends. This was a very fulfilling job for her until she retired in the early 90's. She loved to travel, among many destinations were Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Singapore when her daughter Jody and husband Tommy lived there. She had a deep love of nature in general but specifically flora and fauna. Joann had a passion for gardening and was known to keep a shovel in her vehicle so as to never miss an opportunity to dig up attractive plants that could be transplanted to her yard. Prolific at her residence on Blom Boulevard were ferns, azaleas, blood lilies, Lady Banks roses, Grancy Greybeard, Wisteria, native Louisiana iris, and English ivy that was directly from England in the late 1800's. Many of her plants were gathered from roadsides, pastures and fields. Joann's favorite things to do were relaxing in her living room watching the backyard birds from her large plate glass window or you could find her in the kitchen cooking up one of her favorite recipes. These were some of her greatest sources of pleasure over the last 25 years. Joann is preceded in death by her parents George and Mina Hicks, her lifelong love James "Bubba" Wilkerson Sr., and her brother James C. Hicks She is survived by sister Joy Raye Hicks; daughter Joanne (Jody) Wilkerson Biggs and husband Tommy; son James (Jimbo) Wilkerson and wife Cynthia; grandson Kris Murphy and wife Suzanne and children James and Audrey; granddaughter Jamie Wilkerson Deacon and son Ryder; grandson Jase Wilkerson and wife Ryan and children Tripp, Frannie and Max; grandson Jonathan Cox; granddaughter Paige Cox; nieces Bettie Kay Gimbert and Kelly Hicks Coker, and nephew Mark Hicks. Joann was particularly fond of her dear friend Chandra, her devoted and long time family friend and traveling companion. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Cassierre, his nurse Kathy and staff, who administered treatment to Joann for many years, as well as the management and staff at Azalea Estates Assisted Living facility. Visitation with Joann's family will be on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath South. A private family graveside service is planned for the following week. Joann recently accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior through the fervent prayers and witnessing of longtime friend Chandra, caregiver Janet and family.