Mrs. Mary Laverne Wilkerson, 83, of Adel, Georgia, passed away January 20, 2017, at her residence. She was born April 18, 1933 in Adel, to her late parents Robert Luther and Verna Taylor Daniels. She was a member of the Adel Church of Christ for 53 years. Mrs. Wilkerson was a lifetime resident of Adel where she was owner, operator and teacher for Jack and Jill Kindergarten. She retired from teaching and then became a wedding planner of which she retired in 1985. She was also an author, publishing her first book "Daddy Don't Cry, I Love You" in 2008. She was recognized in Adel for her book's success with local book signings.

Mrs. Wilkerson was preceded in death by her husband, Sam E. Wilkerson. She is survived by her five daughters and four sons-in-law: Judy and Jerry Morey of Hahira, Georgia, Jill Tanner of Adel, Jenni and Rick Anderson of Adel, Mitzi and Joe Burns of Tifton, Georgia, and Jerri and Harold Bowman of High Springs, Florida; nine grandchildren: Janey Hatfield, Samantha Webster, Jeremy Morey, Sable Barrow, Austin Tanner, Ariel Tanner, Sam Anderson, Joe Anderson and Savannah Burns; three great-grandchildren: Calleigh Hatfield, Ellijay Webster and Ensley Webster; and one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Freddy Griffin of Adel.

The funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon January 25, 2017 at 4 PM at the Adel Church of Christ, 900 N. Cleveland Avenue, with Bro. Earl Wilkerson, Bro. Roger Leonard and Rev. Johnny Hendley officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Adel. The family received friends from 2 to 4 PM at the church prior to the funeral service. Janey Hatfield sang "It Is Well" and "Beulah Land" at the service and Steve Jones lead the congregation in the singing of "How Great Thou Art" at the graveside. Steve Jones, David Abbott, Jamie Grimsley, Dr. Ted Ary, Tony Chance and Freddy Griffin served as active pallbearers; Mrs. Wilkerson's grandsons served as honorary pallbearers, they are Jeremy Morey, Austin Tanner, Sam Anderson and Joe Anderson. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com.
–Boone Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements.