Rozella Wilkerson, 80, of Hemphill, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 surrounded by her loving family in Beaumont. Rose was born to Verline and Alton “Toog” Thomas on May 16, 1943 in Hemphill, as a part of the Robinson Bend Community that went under during the construction of the Toledo Bend Dam. Her full educational journey began and ended at the Thomas Johnson School in the Thomas Johnson Community of Hemphill. She was a most gentle soul which is probably why God allowed her to meet her soulmate and best friend, Ben Wilkerson, very young in life. She would always say, “anything I wanted or needed, I knew my husband was going to make sure I got it.” And he did. From this union came 3 beautiful daughters, Vermykia, Benita, and Myshekia.

Rose became a member of the Church of Christ at an early age. She and Ben lived a large portion of their life in Port Arthur, land where they raised their daughters and were members of Thomas Blvd Church of Christ. While living there, they also had the absolute pleasure of becoming who they were best, GRANDPARENTS! One thing about her, you could NOT talk about her Grands… biggest NO NO ever! That legacy stretches across Texas, to Atlanta, and up to New Jersey. While taking care of her family, she also had a career as a tax consultant at H&R Block for over 20 years.

After raising all of her daughters, she and Ben moved back to Hemphill, where she could choose to fall asleep holding a grand or great-grand… or while playing spades and not miss a book. This is where she and her family were members of the Thomas Johnson Church of Christ in Hemphill until God called her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alton and Verline Thomas, her beloved husband of 55+ years, Ben Wilkerson, and daughter, Benita Wilkerson. Her brother, Oliver T. Thomas, also preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn two daughters, Vermykia and Myshekia, 15 Grandchildren, Benjamin (Angi), LaSashia Rose, Tony Jr., Amber (Nick), Ashley, Chris Jr. (Valerie), Angela, Diamond, Jeffrey Jr, Brittany, Allanah (Joseph), Charles III, Miya Rose, Malik, and Celvin, 34 Great-Grandchildren, in which many of them carry the middle name “Rose”, 5 sweet sisters, Venola Thomas, Arlene Thomas, Avis Thomas, Sandy Thomas and Dortha Wilkerson Meeks, her special little brother, Elton Wayne Thomas, and many, many other cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and life-long friends than one could ever imagine.

Her family will welcome visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2023 in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Frank Hamilton officiating.

Burial will follow services in Macedonia Cemetery, Hemphill, with her grandsons, Benjamin Wilkerson, Tony Hall, Jr., Christopher Jackson, Jr., Jeffrey Crawford, Jr., Charles Lee Proctor, III, Malik Chevalier Wilkerson and Celvin Leamon Proctor serving as pallbearers.

Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome. com.