James Edward Wilkerson, Sr. of Kennett, MO was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on September 17, 1959, to Frank Tyes, Sr. and Theodoria Sturghill. He attended school in the Blytheville School District and was the owner of Wilkerson Construction Company.

James was of the Baptist faith and served as a deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hayti, Missouri under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Chapmon. He was a lover of gospel music, and sang throughout Arkansas, Missouri and surrounding areas with his group the New Deliverance Gospel Quartet. He was also a promoter of gospel music.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Tyes, Sr. and Theodoria Sturghill Wilkerson, his siblings, Florence Shaw, Frank Tyes, Jr., F.W. Tyson, Freddie Lee Tyson, Floyd Tyes, Ethel Lee Norris, Henry Wilkerson, Jr., Gertrude Smith, Leroy Donnell Sturghill, Jesse Earl Tyes, Denise Toni Wilkerson.

James leaves to cherish memories, his wife, Debra Grant Wilkerson of Malden, Missouri, three sons, James (Tasha) Wilkerson, Jr. of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jonathan (Ashley) Wilkerson of Kennett, Missouri, and Leonard (Hillary) Burton of Kennett, Missouri, four daughters, Faye (Christopher) Castillo of Malden, Missouri, Shanda (Shon) Wilkerson of Kennett, Missouri, Byranda (Johnny) Wright of Malden, Missouri, and Jasimine Grant of Jonesboro, Arkansas, six brothers, Clarence Frazier of Chicago, Illinois, Anarion Frazier of Lansing, Michigan and Johnny Robert (Michelle) Wilkerson of Blytheville, Arkansas, Leroy Tyes of St. Louis, Missouri, William Tyes of South Bend, Indiana, and Eddie Tyes of Elkhart, Indiana, five sisters, Mary DeLois (Simon) Donald of Lansing, Michigan, Bertha Jean Curtis of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Willie Ruth Dawson of Lansing, Michigan, and Essie Jewel (Charles) James also of Lansing, Michigan, Sherry Tyes of South Bend, Indiana, A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, 32 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, six bonus siblings, Lynda, Bert, L.V., Dorothy, Joe and Leroy, two bonus children, Jamie Jennings and Toni Weatherspoon-Peoples, and long time friend, James Cowley.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, January 25,2025, from 12:00 until 1:00 at Frontline Family Outreach Ministries, 120 East Walnut Street, Blytheville, AR where the pastors are Raymond and Mary Golphin.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on January 25, 2025, at Frontline Family Outreach Ministries, Reverend Demetrius Smith of Mt. Carmel Community Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama will deliver the eulogy with interment to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Blytheville, AR.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mhfuneralhomeinc. or visit us on Facebook at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of services and arrangements.