Grace Eloise Whitlock Wilkinson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Grace Eloise Whitlock Wilkinson, 93, passed away on Sept. 29, 2010.

Grace was born on June 28, 1917, in Muddy, to Lee and Lola Whitlock, both school teachers. Grace began reading even before attending school and continued this hobby throughout her life. In 1935, she met and married Leonard Q. Wilkinson, and from this marriage two children, Daniel F. Wilkinson and Carma E. Burcham, were born.

Grace and Quay were lifelong, dedicated members of the Southern Baptist Church in Illinois and Scottsdale, Ariz. They were among a few original families that founded the Marshall Baptist Church. Grace was the very accomplished pianist at the church for many years and cultivated that skill to her daughter Carma, who plays in churches yet today. Grace was known for her devotion to her church, family and her numerous friends.

Her children reaped the benefits of her sterling character and reputation. Most notable was the quality of her many friends. They were birds of a feather and she loved them all. It was well-known that she loved all Democrats and some Republicans.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Jake, Tom and Cecil; and her husband, Leonard Quay, who always credited her with his business success as president of the Kansas State Bank in Kansas.

She is survived by her two children, Dan and Carma. Her loving grandchildren doted on their "Nana" and visited her often.