Vacia Wilkes

Vacia Wilkes, age 73, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at her home in Perkins. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater.

Vacia was born December 6, 1949 in Chandler, Oklahoma to James Michael Watts and Florence Elnora (Gaither) Watts. She grew up in the Tryon area and graduated from Perkins High School in 1968.

She started working at Mercury Marine in Stillwater in 1978 and retired in 2011 after 33 years of service. On September 19, 1980 she married the love of her life, Bill Wilkes. Together they made countless memories over the years spending time with family and friends.

Vacia was always looked up to as the Matriarch of the family. Her family was everything to her. There was never a selfish bone in her body. She always put others before herself. Giving was her nature. Whether is was baking or cooking their favorite dish, or randomly giving small gifts for no reason. It was never uncommon for her to call the kids and have them stop by to take some leftovers home because she had purposefully over cooked so she could share her bounty. Cooking seemed to be Vacia’s love language. She spent many hours in the kitchen cooking with all her grandkids. From the time they were big enough to sit on the counter she would have them cooking with her. Making memories that they will all now cherish forever. Family was ALWAYS number 1 to her. She worked hard to instill the value and importance of “family” in all of her children.

Whether is was baking cookies, making candy, or preparing a favorite staple dish. She never passed up an opportunity to share the overflowing amount of love shown with the creativity of her hands. She will always be remembered for her generosity and kind, gentle, giving spirit.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Wilkes of the home; children, Monica Smith and significant other Kevin Camren of Perkins, Oklahoma, Tony Gottfried and wife Casey of Perkins, Oklahoma, Rikkelle Carter of Oak Island, North Carolina, and James Wilkes and wife Libby of Perkins, Oklahoma; brothers, Jim Murray and wife Crystel of Rosehill, Kansas, and Eugene Watts and wife Vicki of Pawnee, Oklahoma; sisters, Doris Scott and husband John, and Glenda Jardot and husband Ronnie all of Perkins, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Jordan Payne, Tori Haygood, Brice Smith, Chance Gottfried, Alli Smith, Amelia Bain, Owen Bain, Stella Decker Wilkes, and Charlotte Wilkes; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be Monday, September 18, 2023 from noon to 5PM and Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 9AM to 5PM both at Dighton-Marler Funeral home, Stillwater. Funeral services will be 10AM Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dighonmarler.com