Verla Jean Wilkerson

Verla Jean Wilkerson, affectionately known as Jeannie was born to John and Lois Davis, nee Willis, the 15th day of January 1947, in Chattanooga, TN went on to her glory January 17th, 2024, after a long battle of Alzheimer's. Verla was raised by her grandparents Forest and Mae 'Mother' Willis, nee Gilbert, until she was 14 and then moved to Detroit with her mother. 

A graduate of Central High School, Detroit, MI, 1965, she married King Wesley Wilkerson later that year, and had two daughters, Kimberly Joyce and Deidre Collette, from that union. Although Verla never remarried, she had a third child with then partner, Robert A. Mays, named Rhona Anise Mays. 

She returned to Chattanooga in 1986 where she received her Bachelor of Applied Science from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1991. She was employed by Hamilton County Public Schools for a time, and retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, living out the remainder of her days in North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and partner. Leaving to mourn her loss: Kimberly Joyce (David Taylor Sr,) of NC, Deidre Pryor of LA, and Rhona Mays, MI; six grandchildren Antoine, Wesleigh, Robert, Kayli, Jordan, and Jelani; and four great-granddaughters Mya, Kori, Summer, and Austyn; and a host of cousins, friends and other relatives. 

Memorial service to be held at Shepherd Community Center at 2124 E Shepherd Rd, Chattanooga, TN from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Rhona via Cashapp at $amaysingmodel.