Jerry Wilkie

Jerry Wilkie, age 85, passed away on September 8th, 2024. He was born on October 28th, 1938, in Cherokee County where he lived his entire life.

Jerry graduated from Canton High School in 1955. After graduation, he worked with his father and brother in the commercial egg business at Wilkie’s Poultry Farm. Following that, he was a Real Estate agent for Northside Realty. 

Jerry served on the Cherokee County School Board from 1973 until 1990. He served on the Bank of Cumming Board of Directors and the Georgia Egg Association Board. He was the clerk of Hopewell Baptist Church for over 20 years, and served as a chairman of the church building committee during the addition of the fellowship hall, choir area, and Sunday School rooms.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Laura Henderson Wilkie; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Estelle Pirkle; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley Wilkie, Albert and Barbara Pirkle, and Carroll Pirkle.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Joyce Pirkle Wilkie; son, Phil (Leslie) Wilkie; daughter, Susan (Lee) Thacker; grandchildren, Ben (Katlyn) Thacker, P.J. (Lauren) Wilkie, Will (Brittany) Thacker, Clay (Peighton) Wilkie; great grandchildren, Kinley and Abbey Thacker, Cole and Cade Thacker, Philip Wilkie; brother, Donald Wilkie; sister-in-law, Sara (Aubrey) Vaughan; a host of nieces and nephews.

Jerry loved people and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He referred to Susan and Phil as his “pride and joy.” His four grandsons were the “apple of his eye.” He was often asked which one was his favorite and he always said, “The one that I’m with at the time.” Jerry’s five great-grandchildren were the icing on the cake for him. 

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Wilkie, Rev. Lee Gaddis, Rev. Bud Sutton, and Rev. Alan Sutton officiating. The interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 10th, from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and again on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Ben and Will Thacker, P.J. and Clay Wilkie, John Wilkie, Joey Pirkle, Gary Vaughan, Stephen Pirkle, and Jackie Goss.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, 15730 Hopewell Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at ingramfuneralhome.com.