Ruth Tallent Wilkes

Ruth Tallent Wilkes, age 93, of Franklin, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Born on June 11, 1928, in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Jeff and Mae Dillingham Tallent. She was one of those rare, precious, old timers.  Ruth Tallent Wilkes was born, lived, and died in our wonderful mountains. She loved God and she loved people. She was wife and widow of a WWII veteran, raised 4 children, and served the residents of Grandview Manor as a Nursing Aide for more than 20 years. Like her twin sister Ruby used to say, “You do what you have to do.” Her friends knew her laugh and encouragement. Everyone knew and loved her wit and steel backbone; she was indeed a “pistol”. She loved the mountains, worshipping God daily for the beauty. But especially she loved her family, and the steady accountability, encouragement and fellowship in Jesus is a treasure that will last. She looked for the return of Jesus daily, and now is in His arms, leaving us to walk with Him as she did.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Wilkes; daughter, Tami Robbins (Eddie); son, Ellis Wilkes (Dorothy), 3 brothers, Jack, Don (Evelyn), and Tommy, and 2 sisters, Adalene Tallent and Ruby Wilburn (Guy).

She is survived by two sons, Terry Wilkes and wife Lynda, and Allan Wilkes and wife Elaine; one sister, Barbara Shuler (Pete), six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday March 16, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home with Rev. David Williams officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Samaritans purse.org.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Wilkes family.