Tips

Longtime Grambling resident remembered

Ashton Attis Wilkerson was funeralized on Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Grambling Memorial Garden. 

He was born in Ruston on Nov. 13, 1936 to Esther Goree and Calvin A. Wilkerson. After the passing of his mother in 1937, “Jerry” as he was affectionately called, grew up in the home of his maternal aunt and uncle, Nulon Goree and Joe E. Williams Sr.

A 1954 graduate of Coleman High School, “Jerry”  was a 1958 music education graduate of Arkansas AM&N College (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and a U.S. Army veteran, earning a Good Conduct Medal and an honorable discharge. 

He was a gifted musician and thoroughly enjoyed singing, listening to jazz, and attending concerts. 

In 1959, he married another musician of extraordinary talent, Dana L. Horn. To this union, their daughter Tanya was born.

Following a teaching career in Eudora, Ark., “Jerry” was employed with the U.S. Postal Service. In later life, he returned to Louisiana and worked in the family business, The Collegiate Shoppe.

Following his retirement, “Jerry” continued toenjoy watching football, especially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, attending GSU basketball games and of course, attending concerts.

“Jerry” was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elizabeth and State Rep. Pinkie Carolyn Wilkerson, his “other” parents Joe E. and Nulon Williams and a devoted aunt Lucille Goree Phillips. 

Cherishing  his memories are his daughter Tanya L. Wilkerson; sister, Delores Wilkerson Smith (Leon); a cousin who was like a sibling, Joe E. Williams Jr., a brother-in-law, Clarence L. Horn Jr. and a host of other relatives and friends including Conrad Lewis, Elizabeth D. Smith and Burgundie Smith Fields.