Minnie Pauline
Walker Wilkins
Minnie Pauline Walker Wilkins of Seaford, Delaware departed this life on Thursday, September 23, 2021 in Dover, with her family at her side.
Pauline was born November 22, 1926, to the late George Henry and Minnie Dorsey Walker in Seaford, Delaware. She was the youngest of four brothers and two sisters.
Minnie P. Wilkins was educated in Seaford, Delaware at the Frederick Douglass High School graduating from the 11th grade. She then entered Delaware State College High School, one of only two high schools in Delaware for African American students.
Pauline Walker Wilkins graduated, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Delaware State College in 1949. She taught Home Economics at Benjamin Banneker School in Milford, Delaware for one year before joining the young staff at William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware in 1950. When Jason closed in 1967, Pauline accepted a job teaching Home Economics at Colwyck Middle School in New Castle, Delaware. In 1969, she was hired at the Seaford Middle School from which she retired in 1989 after forty years as a Home Economics teacher. When Pauline wasn't teaching, during the summer months, she took classes at the University of Delaware where she earned thirty graduate credits.
After retiring from teaching, Mrs. Wilkins continued to serve her community, church and neighborhood. Mrs. Wilkins was an active member of John Wesley United Methodist Church where she served as Chairperson of the Building committee, Finance committee and the Old Fashion Camp Meeting committee. She is Past President of the Administrative Board, Past President of the Greater Seaford Association of Churches and a Past Lay Leader. At her church, along with several others, Mrs. Wilkins organized an after-school tutorial program. Through her efforts, the first scholarship assistance program was organized at John Wesley United Methodist Church. Mrs. Wilkins, unselfishly, provided financial assistance for students; and, she quietly helped and supported others.
After the devastating fire that completely destroyed the church, Sister Wilkins led the campaign for the re-building of John Wesley United Methodist Church. Under her leadership, the congregation was able to rebuild the church and successfully burn the mortgage.
Pauline has served as a member of the Western Sussex Boys & Girls Club Board and the Inter-denominational Ministerial Alliance of Seaford. She is a charter member and past president of the Sussex County Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Wilkins is an honorary member of the Sussex County Alumni Chapter of Delaware State University and a Life member of the Delaware State University Alumni Association. She was an avid football fan and supporter of the Marching Band.
Truly, "a Good Samaritan," throughout her life, Mrs. Wilkins shared her gifts, talents, time and treasure with others. And, because of her outstanding altruism, she was the recipient of many awards, honors and recognitions from various groups, organizations, and institutions.
In her later years, Pauline lived in Dover, Delaware with her niece, Rev. Dr. Geraldine J. Jones, who along with her daughter, Monica, cared for their "Aunt Pauline." For as long as she was able, "Aunt Pauline" traveled with the family to games, activities and to Transformation African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Dover); where she was accepted as an affiliate; affectionately loved and shepherded.
Sister Wilkins, the widow of Jerry Wilkins, leaves to cherish her memory three nieces
Rev. Dr. Geraldine J. Jones of Dover, Delaware; Brenda Lopez (Juan) of Springfield, Massachusetts; and Charlene Cannon of Seaford, Delaware; three great nieces and four great-nephews. Minnie Pauline Walker Wilkins felt that she was blessed to have shared in the lives of her many great and great-great nieces and nephews; cousins, relatives and extended family members. As she so frequently told her story, she said, "Nearly half of my life was spent teaching. I enjoyed being involved in the lives of young people. I believe that if you 'Change the world of a child, you change the world.'"
A Celebration of Life service will be held 12 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, at John Wesley Unitied Methodist Church, 804 3rd St., Seaford, DE. A public viewing will be held 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Interment in Macedonia A.M.E. Church cemetery, Seaford, DE.
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