Fannie Mae Wilkins was born on October 7, 1930 in Magnolia, Arkansas to the union of William and Ida Sterling. Fannie was a God fearing woman, accepting Christ at an early age. She was a member of St. Luke Baptist Church. Fannie served in her church on the Usher Board, Hospitality Committee (kitchen duties), Nursing Guild, among many other capacities until her health failed.

On January 4, 2013, at the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence, God allowed the curtain to come down and Fannie Mae Wilkins was given permission to take her final rest with The Lord.

Fannie was a very giving, down to earth person that had a way of getting what she wanted. Her contagious and spunky personality always made everyone laugh. Fannie was very independent and not easily swayed by every wind. She was solid in herself, and you were not able to tell her differently. She was devoted and dedicated to those she loved. She realized the importance of accountability by reconciling with family and friends but most of all, she knew one day we would all be accountable to God. She was noble. Her life was worthy of being recognized. She was the type of person that lived such a way that you were blessed for having been with her.

She was a lover of bingo, cooking, eating soul food, fishing, and children. She loved to shop…made sure her hair was done with the latest styles…and let’s not forget that she dressed sharp too! She loved her family immensely.

Fannie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ida Sterling; one sister, Dollie Dimple Pate; and two brothers, Bennie Grant and Willie B. Sterling.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Martha Henderson of Dumfries, VA; her adoptive son, David Thompson (Hilda) of Muskegon Heights, MI; one loving nephew , Ricky Brown of Murphysboro, IL; and two very, very special friends, Cindy Zaagman and Fannie Black of Muskegon, MI; among a host of relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence (in care of Harbor Hospice).