Sarah Wilkinson

Sarah Wilkinson, age 91, passed away in the care of Passages Hospice, New Orleans, from heart failure. Graveside services will be on Tuesday, October 19 at 11:30 am at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. Fifth Street, Waco, Texas. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. at Wilkirson–Hatch–Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas. Sarah was born in Waco, Texas to parents J. Grover and Mary Davidson Harvey. She graduated from Hillsboro High School then continued her education at Hill County Junior College before completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in Music at Baylor University. A talented Soprano, her interest in music led her to meet her beloved husband of fifty-nine years, Wesley James Wilkinson. They married in Hillsboro August 25, 1962. While home was always New Orleans, she also established temporary housing for them in Melbourne, Australia, The Hague, Netherlands and Aberdeen, Scotland. As a devoted homemaker, she still found time to share her talent with others. She performed in Gilbert and Sullivan in Australia. Sarah was the first to perform Requiem by Verdi honoring President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. Sarah also graciously sang for friends for many of life’s special events such as weddings and funerals. Surprising many who didn’t know of her gift, she would join Sunday Brunch Jazz bands in an impromptu songfest. Even her email address, Songbird, alluded to her talent. Preceded in death by her parents and only sibling, Dr. John G. Harvey, she lamented his passing at the young age of 72. Never having children of their own, she and Jim amiably mentored young couples challenged by the trials and tribulations of marriage. When those couples had children, Sarah and Jim treated those offspring as any doting grandparent would. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the graveside service at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. Fifth Street, Waco, Texas. Prior to the service, visitation will be at Wilkirson–Hatch–Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The service will also be online via www.WHBfamily.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Sarah may be made to Global Maritime Ministry, 3635 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115 or the church/charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on the “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.