James B. Wilkinson

James Benton Wilkinson, 82, of Gulfport, MS, died Sunday, July 12, 2009 in D'Iberville.
Mr. Wilkinson was born in Columbia, MS and lived in Gulfport for over 40 years. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Journalism and worked for WOMI radio station in Owensboro, KY, where he called play by plays for the high school basketball games. He moved his family to Mississippi in 1969 and worked for WGCM radio station. He retired from Service Merchandise as Assistant Manager of the Sporting Goods Department.
He was a member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Gulfport, where he served as deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a loving father and grandfather.
Mr. Wilkinson is preceded in death by his wife, Allene Brown Wilkinson; son, Rev. Steven R. Wilkinson; brother, Rev. Elwyn """"Sonny"""" Wilkinson, Jr; and his parents, Rev. Elwyn and Mary Wilkinson.
He is survived by his children, Mary Carr, Jimmy Wilkinson, and Julann (Sherman) Broussard; 2 sisters, Betty Wells and Patti Byrd, and one brother, Riley Wilkinson; 4 grandchildren, Jake Carr, Molly Cunningham, Alexis and Shelbi Broussard; and 6 great-grandchildren: Mykel and Ryan Cunningham, Kyla Holmes, and James, Trevor, and Kaitlyn Carr.
Friends are invited to visit from 9:00-10:00 a.m.on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. The obituary may viewed and guest book signed at www.riemannfamily.com.