Obituary of Don Wilkerson

Don Earl Wilkerson was born on March 29, 1954 in Vicksburg, Mississippi to the late Selvin Wilkerson Sr. and Unzell Martin Wilkerson. Don was the 9th of 15 children - Robert Wilkerson, Clifton Martin (Deceased), Evelyn Williams, Maxine Hudson (Deceased), Louise Reese (Deceased), Selvin Wilkerson Jr, Guy Wilkerson (Doris) Linda Franklin, Michael Wilkerson (Debbie), Austin Wilkerson, Wilbert Smith, Debora Wilkerson, Gwen Franklin, and Paul Wilkerson. Don accepted Christ as a child and was baptized at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist church in Vicksburg. After attending Warren County Schools, Don worked on his family’s farm which sold produce to local stores and in a fiberglass factory. In 1985, Don relocated to Indianapolis, IN. He first worked as a metal finisher and polisher at a local company. Don then started his own lawn care business. He took great pride in his work and was very successful. His clients appreciated his dependability, precision, and attention to every detail. He rededicated his life to Christ in June 1993 uniting the Oasis of Hope Baptist Church. Don was very active and dedicated to his church serving faithfully as a member of the Male Chorus and Men’s Ministry. For 10 years, Don was a volunteer for the Oasis Volunteer Tax ministry. Don also passionately and faithfully cared for and maintained the Oasis Church grounds until he was called home. Don loved God’s Word and attended Bible Study regularly. He desired to explore God’s Word more fully and pursued training to learn to read as an adult. Completing a literacy program, Indy Reads, was one of Don’s proudest accomplishments and it opened a new world to him as he became a passionate reader. Don, known by many around the city as “Cowboy” or “Sam”, was an avid pool player in which he took pleasure in accepting the challenge to play anyone and promising to “whoop their tail”. He also enjoyed hanging out at the “Pea Shake House” where he kept the fire going in barrel in the wintertime. He was known for his collection of hand carved canes. Don enjoyed playing Bid Whist and dominos with his card group family who Don affectionately referred to as: “Baby Cakes” (Carolyn Swanigan), ”Sweet Cakes“ (Yvonne Williams) “Speedy Cakes“(Gina Grady) “ and “Robert - The Doctor” (Robert Hawthorne). Don was known to always make people laugh and tell stories from his youth or recite scenes from old movies. Don loved the Indianapolis Colts football team and tailgated in-person until his health prevented him from doing so. On any given day, you would find Don wearing his self-designed Colts apparel. Aside from football, Don could be found fellowshipping and enjoying a “good ole home cooked meal” at the Johnson’s home or with other Oasis of Hope families on Sunday afternoons. Don loved the Lord and was quick to share how great Jesus was in his life and how He would change your life. After a 15 year battle with cancer Don entered into eternal rest on Saturday July 1st. Don was loved, admired, and cared for by many and will truly be missed by his siblings, nieces and nephews, church family and many other relatives and friends. Viewers have several ways to join us LIVE for Brother Don's Memorial Service: Online: www.get2oasis.net facebook.com//get2oasis youtube.com/@get2oasis Please copy and paste these links into your web browser.