Vera Big Momma Wilkerson

Vera "Big Momma" Wilkerson, 96, of Port Arthur, Texas died Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Cypress Glen East in Port Arthur, Texas. Vera was born December 24, 1914 in San Augustine, Texas on an 88 acre farm, one of eight children. She was a farmer's daughter who graduated from Manning Texas High School, Class of 1934. Vera left home when she was 20 years old and lived in Shreveport with cousins and worked as a nanny. After a broken engagement in San Antonio, she moved to Port Arthur and met her husband, Joe Wilkerson. They were married in 1938 and were married 38 years before he passed away. Vera has done many interesting things in her life. She and her husband bred Chow dogs for many years. She has traveled to many ports to see her husband in from the Merchant Marines; New York City, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, Mobile, Philadelphia, Newport News and Norfolk, Virginia. She completed Florist School in 1965 and worked in the floral business for over 50 years. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:00 am at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches with Rev. Frank Hodges officiating and Kathy Bradley assisting. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the funeral home. Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Wilkerson and her granddaughter, Charla Marie Brown. Surviving relatives include her son, Billy R. Brown, Sr. of Port Arthur, Texas; 4 grandchildren, Billy Brown, Jr. and wife Shirley, Willie Brown, Robert "Spud" Brown and wife Lee Ann and Sasha Jordan; 10 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.