Charleen Kay Wilkinson

Charleen Kay Wilkinson, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished Nana and Great-Nana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and family on July 2, 2026.

She was born on June 9, 1947 in Joplin, Missouri to Charles and Eileen (Watts) Smith of Seneca. She was a 1965 graduate of Seneca High School, Seneca, Missouri. She married Billy Ray "Red" Wilkinson, on Oct 14, 1978. He preceded her in death on December 29, 2017. Together they built a life rooted in love, faith and commitment, sharing 39 years of marriage and raising a close-knit family.

Charleen dedicated many years of her professional life as a registered nurse in the Joplin area, including Barton County Memorial Hospital in Lamar, Freeman Health System, Nevada State Hospital and Heartland Hospital. She belonged to the United Methodist Women's group, Lamar Methodist Church, Fiber Folks of SW Missouri and the Red Hat Society. She also served the Seneca community as a Volunteer firefighter and loved to spend her spare time sharing her love of sewing and teaching quilting classes. She and Red were the owner/operators of Barefoot Quilts. Her strength and kindness fostered many friendships through the years.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children: Matt Hymer, and his wife Holly, of Seneca, MO and their children Jacoby, Lance and Brady; Chris Hymer, and his wife Nikki, of Seneca, MO and their children Davy, Rachel, and RyannJacob Hymer, and his wife Kristie, of Strafford, MO and their children Austin, Dachel, Mason and Kailey; Katie Whitekiller, and her husband Charles, of Beggs, OK and their children Jeff, Josh and Justin, Billy Wilkinson, and his wife Lori, of Sand Springs, OK and their children Hannah, Jessica, Lyndie, and Lucy.

20 grandkids, 19 great grandkids and counting..... Her brothers Stanley Ray Smith and wife Janet of Greenville, Texas, and Charles Eugene Smith and wife Wenona of Carthage, Missouri.

She will be remembered for her dedication to others, and deep bonds she nurtured with her family. Her love will live on in all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but forever held in the hearts of her family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1pm to 2pm, Tuesday, July 14th at the Lamar Methodist Church. Following the visitation a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held starting at 2pm with Charles Whitekiller officiating. The family will burry Charleen's cremains next to her husband in Lantha Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Whitekiller, Austin Hymer, Josh Whitekiller, Davy Blair, Justin Whitekiller, Mason Hymer, Jacoby Hymer, Kodi Applegate, Lance Hymer, Austin Foster, Brady Hymer and Austin Carcione.

Services under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home Seneca, MO.