Delia Leota Beck Wilkes passed away on Aug. 19, 2017 in Eureka.

Delia was born Feb. 7, 1939 to Merritt and Julia Beck in Franklin, N.C.  

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Howard K. Wilkes.

Delia attended schools in Franklin, N.C. and graduated from Franklin High School in 1957. This year marked her 60th class reunion, where she will be honored along with her championship basketball teammates and inducted into the schools Hall of Fame.

Delia was a stay-at-home mother, where she raised her two children, Teresa Lynne Wilkes Herring and Larry Kirby Wilkes.

Delia is also survived by her grandchildren Forrest M. Herring of Oak Harbor, Wash. and Benjamin D. Herring of McKinleyville, along with her sisters Mildred Beck Dills and Ruth Beck Corey of Franklin, N.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merritt & Julia Beck, brothers Merritt Wm Beck, Jr., Glenn W. Beck and Albert T. Beck, and sister Beatrice Beck Hammack.

Delia was very involved with her church, McKinleyville Baptist Church, where she had many friends. She loved to garden and tend to her many plants and flowers.  Red roses were her favorite. Her grandboys, as she called them, were the loves of her life.  Her door was always open to them to hang out, help out or looking for something to eat.

She always had a helping hand for anyone that needed one, and smile on her face that no one could ever forget.

A special THANK YOU to Linda Miller — her neighbor and dear, dear friend and advocate — for everything she has done for her during her last 3 years.  Thank you!!

A visitation will be held at Paul’s Funeral Chapel in Arcata on Friday, Aug. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made to McKinleyville Baptist Church 1616 Windsor Ave., McKinleyville, CA,  95519.

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The obituary above was submitted by Delia Wilkes’ family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.