Bertha Loretta "Rita" Wilkins

Bertha Loretta (Turner) Wilkins of McLoud, passed from this life to her rewards in Heaven just one day shy of her 102nd birthday at her home in McLoud on September 18, 2021. She was born September 19, 1919 to John Wesley and Bertie (Wood) Turner in Beggs, OK, the fourth of six children. Loretta finished high school in McLoud, OK in 1938 and married her classmate Clarence Sylvester (Buddy) Wilkins on February 1, 1942. He left in October 1942 for service in the US Navy in WWII and Loretta stayed on and ran the farm north of McLoud. Buddy returned home from the Navy in 1945 and they bought another farm one mile South of the home place and moved there. Three sons were born to this union, C. Randy, Philip A and Timothy A. Wilkins. Loretta stayed at home to raise the boys and had a huge garden. She loved to work outside, always teaching the boys many things about farming. In 1971 she started to work as a teacher aide in McLoud for the third grade classroom, then spent seven years assisting in the remedial reading program. After Buddy's death, she remained on the farm and did substitute teaching. Loretta traveled the world, visiting all continents except Antarctica. She was also an avid church goer, always taking others with her. Loretta is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers and her husband Clarence S. Wilkins. She is survived by three sons; Randy Wilkins, Philip and wife Marlene Wilkins and Tim and wife Lisa Wilkins; a brother Bob and wife Eva Turner of Anacortia, WA; four grandchildren, Troy and wife Shelly Wilkins, Tracy and wife Cori Wilkins, Laura and husband Steven Mitchell and Turner Wilkins; and eight great-grandchildren. Loretta was beloved as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and many who called her friend.