Mrs. Ruth Taylor Wilkes

Ruth Taylor Wilkes, born on July 22, 1933 in New York, New York, died peacefully on November 20th, 2023 at Chapman Healthcare Center in Alexander City, Alabama surrounded by her family. Wanting to see the world at age 17, she courageously moved from New Haven, Connecticut to Milton, Florida to join the Navy. During her initial check-in process, she met Hiram B. (Corky) Taylor of Dadeville, Alabama. Less than a year later, they were married and she flourished as a Southern Belle from New Haven! Their union produced two children: David and Elizabeth, both born in Pensacola, Florida. After moving throughout the southeast with Hiram's engineering profession, they retired back to Dadeville in 1977. Hiram Taylor died in 2001. The following year during a dental visit, she met the second love of her life- Edwin (Ed) Wilkes. In 2003, with each other's family present, they were married in Dadeville at First Baptist Church. For the next 20 years, they enjoyed traveling, living the lake life on Lake Martin and riding on their boat looking for flora, fauna and milkshakes! Ruth will be remembered for her joyful, Godly spirit, love of life, music and gardening, kindness, spunk, and adoration for her family, friends, and loving her two kids (puppies), Suzie and Sammie. She was active in her church, Dadeville First Baptist, until her health declined. She leaves behind her caring husband, Ed Wilkes. She was predeceased in death by her first husband Hiram (Corky) Taylor, her sister-in-law Joyce Taylor (Buttercup) Newberry, her mother-in-law Louise Funderburk Taylor and Josh Wilkes. In addition, she leaves behind her son, David Taylor (Maria), of Lexington, SC and her daughter, Elizabeth Taylor Gee (William) of Anderson, SC and her half-sister Ada Soberg of Kentucky. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law (Sandra Taylor) and niece JoAnna Newberry Banks (Sid). Additionally, she will missed by Ed's son Richard Wilkes of Smithfield, Virginia and Ed's daughter Karen Aaron of Kimberly, AL. She was a loving Ruthie - not to be confused with grandmother - to five grandchildren, Dr. Jon Taylor (Lauren), Greg Taylor (Jenna), Alex Taylor (Elizabeth), Daniel Gee, Taylor Gee McCollam (Michael), Nikki Mirov and 7 great grandchildren (Sophie, Sam, Hudson, Kennedy, Crew, Nicholas, and Marshall and Olivia). A celebration of life will be held February 3 at First Baptist Church of Dadeville.Do not cry for me, my love.My heart is still with you.Keep your eyes on God above.This pain He'll see you through.For I am with our Father now,In His home up above.I am whole and at peaceAnd surrounded by His love.You, too, He'll call home one dayto His mansion in the sky.And together we will be foreverTo praise Him, side by side.-Misty Greg "Do Not Cry for Me.""In the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be there. As you were you will always be, treasured forever in our memory. I keep in my heart the love of the past, for there it was planted forever to last. Your presence I miss, your memory I treasure, loving you always!" -Anonymous

Mrs. Ruth Taylor Wilkes

July 22, 1933 - November 20, 2023

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