Lorene Delores Rhodes Wilkie

Lorene Delores Rhodes Wilkie, 80, of Hoopers Creek went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully in her home on May 23rd, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family during the last months of her earthly journey. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, William Edward Wilkie, along with her beloved parents Mary-Grace McCarson Rhodes and William Burgin Rhodes.

Those left to cherish her memory are four beloved children: Daughters: Sophia Fowler (Tony), Michele King (Steve), as well as her sons : Eddie Wilkie (LaShea), and Pastor Jeffery Wilkie (Shawna). She was loved greatly by her thirteen grandchilidren: Krystofer King, Kelly King, Roger King (Sonya), Kacie Young (Jason), Nicholas Fowler (Cara), Dylan Wilkie (Shelby), Jennifer Maxwell (Tye), Jaika Hill (Daniel), ShaKinley Garren (Chandler), Chandler Wilkie (Chloe), Anna Wilkie, Lauren Wilkie, and Mary Grace Wilkie. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Raylyn Wilkie, Colton Hill, Aria Wilkie, Jenson Hill, Tallon Hill, Lawson Hill, Paisley Garren, Waylon Maxwell, and Navy Wilkie. Lorene’s brother Don Rhodes (Judy), sister Katherine Warren, and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

Lorene was dedicated to all she did. She was a faithful woman of God with a servant’s heart who loved her Lord, her family, church, friends, and neighbors. Lorene was determined to help her family and friends anyway she could. She spent countless hours caring for her grandchildren, cooking for others, cleaning and anything she could do to help.

She was a member of Biltmore Church; prior to that Ed and Lorene were members of Ebenezer Baptist Church. It was there they raised their children, she got saved, and they served the Lord for over 40 years. She served as a Children’s Sunday School Teacher at Ebenezer Baptist Church for over 30 years. Anytime there was a visiting Evangelist or Preacher at their church she always prepared a meal for them and hosted them in her home.

Ed and Lorene met in their Senior year of High School. They were the first graduating class of West Henderson High School. It was there a beautiful young lady from Fletcher met a handsome man from Etowah and their love story began. Their children attended school there and were in band and played football. They became actively involved in the Boosters Club where they served many more years than their children were there. They enjoyed the lifetime friends they made in the Boosters club. Lorene often gave rides home to her son’s teammates so they could participate in football.

She had a gift of seeing someone in need and jumping in to help them. She was an Employee of Sears with 32 years of service before retirement. At Sears she made many friends, friends who were like a second family to her. After retiring, she decided she didn’t have enough to do so she went to work at Ingles part-time and then transferred to the Sav-Mor in Hendersonville. It was there that she met co-workers that she loved, and they loved her; she became like a mom to them, and it brought her great joy.

Lorene was broken-hearted after Ed passed away in November of 2022. Her family watched her decline emotionally and physically after his passing and her hip fracture. Our hearts are broken with her passing but joyful in knowing she’s in the presence of our Lord and Savior and reunited with our Father, her parents, and many loved ones and friends. We thank everyone for their love and support during the past year. God is Surely good even in the valleys of our journey here on earth.

The family would like to thank Kacie Young, Shelby Wilkie, Jaika Hill, ShaKinley Garren, Raylyn and Aria Wilkie, and Paisley Garren; because of their help we were continually able to provide our Mother with an endless supply of love and support. We would also like to thank Four Seasons Hospice for their kindness and support.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Mills Gap Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff Wilkie officiating. Burial will follow in Hoopers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00–3:00 PM Sunday prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mills Gap Baptist Church, 370 Mills Gap Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wilkie family.