Renee Joyce Wilkins, age 85 went to be with the Lord on Friday June 23, 2017 at Cozad Care Center in Cozad, NE.
Renee was born May 19, 1932 in McPherson County to Orval E. and Della (Hall) Black. She worked alongside her father in Black’s Cash Store and attended school in McPherson County, graduating with the class of 1950. After graduation she served in the US Navy for 2 years where she met her husband Brozy “Bud” Wilkins. They were married May 16, 1954 and to their union 3 children were born: Brozy “Butch” III, Brenda, and Ed. While Bud was in the service they lived in various places including Virginia, Texas, and Spain. When Bud retired they lived for a while in Florida, back in Tryon, and finally in Kearney, NE. Joyce loved playing board games and cards, and taught her grandchildren and some nieces and nephews how to play games from an early age. She liked camping and fishing and she and Bud had purchased a motor home just before he passed away. They had many wonderful times spent with her 3 sisters and their spouses sharing holidays together and lots of camping journeys together. She was active in her Baptist Church in Kearney, serving on the visitation committee and being chair of her Baptist Women’s Group.
Joyce is survived by her 3 children, Brozy “Butch” Wilkins III of Pinehurst, TX, Brenda (Mike) Peters of Gothenburg, NE, and Orval Edward (Lori) Wilkins of Pleasanton, NE; 9 grandchildren Brozy “Buck” Wilkins IV, Chad (Mindy) Wilkins, Marci (J.T.) Blackwell, Deke Wilkins, Shea (Jennie) Wilkins, Nick Wilkins, Stephanie (Dave) Rodriguez, Amy Case, Craig Wilkins; daughter-in-law Wanda Wilkins; 14 great grandchildren; sister Jerry (Gary) Neal of North Platte, NE; 2 half sisters Jodeen Carroll of Lexington, NE and Shelly (Jeff) Arensdorf of Tryon, NE; 1 half brother Ed Black of Tryon, NE; and 1 step sister Susan Crapo of Yankton, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud; an infant son; an infant grandson Cody Wilkins; sisters Joanne Jennings and Janis Nielsen; brothers-in-law Darwin Nielsen and Dale Jennings; infant niece Kylee Neal; step brother Rick Black; step sister Beth Ehrbar; and her stepmother Leah Black.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be graveside 1:00 p.m. Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Miller Cemetery in Tryon with military honors. Pastor James Paine will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday June 27, 2017 and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.