Mary Joyce Wilkinson

Mary Joyce Wilkinson, age 83, a resident of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at her residence.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Terry Jones officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Barnsville Cemetery in Summertown. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home with an Eastern Star Ceremony to follow.  Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on December 10, 1941, in Summertown, Tennessee Joyce was the daughter of the late Elsie and Ila Graves Browning. On December 24, 1960, she married the love of her life, Carl Wilkinson, who preceded her in death on November 26, 2023.

Joyce spent several years working in the claims department at Farm Bureau before devoting her career to the bookkeeping and operations of the family’s businesses: Carl’s TV Sales & Service (later Carl’s TV & Video), Carl’s Highway 31 Furniture, and Wilkinson’s Rentals.

A devoted member of Berea Church of Christ, Joyce was also active in many community organizations throughout her life. She was a proud member of the Eastern Star, Mt. Pleasant Lions Club, and the Fraternal Order of Police. Known for her hospitality and generous spirit, Joyce was a dedicated homemaker who always made sure guests felt welcome and well-fed. Her greatest joy was her family, and she cherished the time spent with them.

She is survived by her children, Darrell (Joyce J.) Wilkinson of Columbia, David Wilkinson of Columbia, Carla (William) Caraway of Columbia, grandchildren, Kassidy (Joe) Riley, Kaylen (David) Dickerson, Cole (Sarah) Wilkinson, Dallas Wilkinson, great grandchildren, Faithlyn Wilkinson, Railyn Wilkinson, nephews, Donnie Gillam, Jerry Brewer, and nieces, Judy Shaw and Gina Parks.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her twin brother, James Browning, and siblings, Doris Browning and Ruth Brewer.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Cole Wilkinson, Dallas Wilkinson, Randall Wilkinson, Paul Calton, John Benderman, Gerald Buie, and Jacob Love. Honorary pallbearers will include her many beloved great nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Tennessee School for the Blind, 115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to caregivers, Pam Roundtree, Angela Burgess, Brenda Benderman, Whitney Smith Lovell, Caris Hospice nurse Casey Henson Cummins, and the entire staff at Caris Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Joyce.