Earnest Edward Wilkerson

“

You could hear him cheer, clap, and exclaim, "Mighty fine!"

Earnest Wilkerson was born on June 5, 1935, in Washington County, Georgia, and passed away at home on September 30, 2026, in Ellerslie, Georgia.  He was 91 years old at the time of his passing and fought a short battle with a cancer diagnosis at home with family beside him.  He was the second-born son of Gussie and Josephine Wilkerson. He is preceded in death by his brothers, W.G., Jody, and Bobbie Wilkerson, and his sister, Oria Summerall. 

He is survived by his sisters, Alice Spitz, Margie Holton, and numerous nieces and nephews. Earnest grew up in a farming family and also worked in a dairy. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1955 and served 2 years, then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and served until 1963. He received an honorable discharge. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, he met his wife Annette Lee, and they were married on June 1, 1957.  Earnest and Annette were married for 57 years. 

Earnest is survived by his four children, Carlton Wilkerson (Jane), Keith Wilkerson (Sharon), Kevin Wilkerson (Bobbie), and Connie Wilkerson Toney He is also survived by John Shelton (Patti), whom he also treated like another son. He is survived by his grandchildren Annette Bailey, Alicia Chialastri, Kyle Wilkerson, Kasey Rice (Michael), Connar Wilkerson (Charlotte), Cole Wilkerson (Kayla), Jason Casciaro (Karen), Tommy Casciaro (Jacque), Cunningham Toney, Caleb, and Cade. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Amie Casciaro. He is survived by 18 great-grandchildren. 

In civilian life, Earnest became a mechanic and worked for the Army Civil Service in the Maintenance Division for 40 years, where he received numerous commendations for outstanding performance and support of the U. S. Army. He also helped fix and repair almost anything and any vehicle that family or friends asked of him. Most of all, Earnest loved being with his family. He enjoyed coaching Little League for his sons and daughter, taking family vacations, and making memories with his family. He was always patient, always kind, and always loving to all who knew him. He enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends. 

He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, especially Little League. He was an avid bluegrass music fan, played harmonica for over 50 years, and enjoyed traveling to bluegrass festivals throughout the Southeast. He especially enjoyed listening to the various bluegrass bands that played at County's BBQ over the years from 1975 to September 17, 2026. You could hear him cheer, clap, and exclaim, "Mighty Fine!"  He was a faithful Christian and attended New Vision Christian Ministries in Waverly Hall, Georgia, where he also played his harmonica.  He was an amazing Daddy, Granddaddy, Great-Granddaddy, Brother, Uncle, Co-worker, and Friend to all who knew him and one of God's faithful servants here on earth. Daddy, when you got to heaven, I know Jesus opened the gate and said, "Well done. That life of yours was Mighty Fine."

Funeral services will be held 11:30 AM EDT Wednesday, October 7, 2026 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM EDT Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery following the service.