of Conway, AR
February 2, 1925 - May 5, 2015
Jean Mary Goda Wilkinson Spain of Conway passed away at home on Tuesday, May 5, at age 90. ''Wilkie,'' as she was known by family and friends, was the co-founder of Wilkinson's Mall, and a founding member of Grace United Methodist Church in Conway.
Jean was born February 2, 1925 in Evanston, Illinois. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville during World War II, where she met William J. ''Bill'' Wilkinson. They married in his hometown of Helena in 1946 and had four children. Jean was active in First Methodist Church and was a Welfare Department caseworker.
The family left Helena in 1968 to start their own business, Wilkinson's Wholesale Shoe Company Inc., in Conway. After Bill's sudden death in 1974, Jean and son Mike, daughter Jenny, and son-in-law Steve McEntire kept the business going. In 1987 it became Wilkinson's Mall, now the largest shoe and boot store in Arkansas. Jean's character and business sense played a large part in the store's long-term success.
In 1986 Jean married John H. Spain, a retired naval officer.
''Wilkie'' was an exemplary grandmother. When she wasn't attending ball games and birthdays, giving driving lessons, or hosting family events and weekly dinners, she was busy in her sewing room, garden, church, and shoe store.
She was pre-deceased by husbands Bill Wilkinson and John Spain, parents Herman and Mayme Berg Goda, brother Jack Goda, and sister-in-law Louise Wilkinson Cremeen.
Jean is survived by four children: Leah Wilkinson, Little Rock; Mike Wilkinson (Susan) and Margie Wilkinson McEntire (Steve), all of Conway; and Jenny Wilkinson Honey (Jeff), of Greenbrier. 11 grandchildren: Natalie Wilkinson Rose (Reggie), Beth Wilkinson Reed (Neal), Valerie Sylar Johnson (Garth), and Megan Wilkinson James (Adam), all of Conway; Lindsay McEntire Dugger (Jon), Springdale; Billy McEntire (Jordan) and Corinne Power (Mark), both of Fayetteville; Julie Woodard Crossland (Cole) and John Woodard (Annelise), Jared and Emily Honey, all of Greenbrier; brother-in-law, Dr. Bill Cremeen and nephew, Bill Cremeen, both of Maumelle; niece, Leanne Cremeen Johnson (Kyle), Springdale; 4 grand-nieces and nephews; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Conway on Friday at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark McDonald officiating. Graveside service will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park with Brother Gary Burdin officiating. You are invited to celebrate her life with us on Thursday from 6-8 pm, at 177 Hwy 365 S, Conway. For online guestbook, go to www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Memorial donations may be made to Arkansas Hospice or the charity of your choice.
Sign Guestbook
24 Condolence(s)
Joey & Amber Wallace
Friday, May 8, 2015
Jenny & family,
we are so sorry for your loss and we will keep you all
in our prayers.
frog adams
Friday, May 8, 2015
so remember sunday volley ball game with meals waiting was such a suprise. navy blue crushed velvet curtains givento me from upstairs bedroom which i used at apartment 400 south center. lindsay's birthday she wrote the name petunia june on shoe box for her pick of names for lindsay. love her and miss all. a friend and always in my heart and mind thanks ms. wilkie for my conway life. ur x emloyee and part time shoe and boot model frog adams
Rickey and D.D. Matthews
Friday, May 8, 2015
mike, Margie and the rest of the family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Michelle talked so highly of her. She was a special lady. Remember all of the good times that all of you had with her. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Rickey & D.D.
Randy Riddell
Friday, May 8, 2015
My sympathy to your family. I only met Wilkie in recent years, but she was always a delightful, pleasant, and gracious lady in my presence.
Carol Schiffman
Thursday, May 7, 2015
I'm so glad Wilkie asked Leah to track down the Goda side of the family. It's been fascinating learning about my grandfather's brother's family. I hope the information that Wilkie heard from our side brought her some joy prior to her passing. I wish we had been able to meet in person.
Monique Mansfield
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wilki was an amazing lady. I was privileged to have known her. My prayers are with the Wilkinson family during their time of loss.
Barbara Howell
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Mike, Susie and Beth.
Knowing Wilkie for the past 10 years has been a blessing. Her personality was so upbeat and happy.. We always loved being around her. She was truly a wonderful woman.
Barbara & Jack Howell
Laura Reed and Kathryn Ann Reed
Frankie Chadwick
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Leah, Valerie, and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I could tell from the video tribute what a lovely, loved, and loving woman she was.
Ann Hargraves Lee
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Mike
Sorry for your loss. How lucky for you to have had her for so long in your life.
Dave and Marva McAlpine
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Dear Leah and Valerie,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was obviously a great person and will be missed by you and your extended family. We are hoping your fond memories of good times with her will console you during this time of grieving.
Susan & Stanley Woodard
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wilkie was one fabulous woman! So much fun to be around and wonderful inspiration to our family. She always had pep in the step of her Kangaroo shoes, and though she was tiny, those will be some big shoes to fill! She will be missed. Loved her so much!
Patti Thurman
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Margie and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May loving memories of your mother fill your thoughts during your time of sorrow.
Becky Phares
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Leah and Family< I am so sorry about Jean. I remember us all as kids playing up and down Mistletoe Lane. Your Mom was like my second Mom--always willing to take me in, or feed me, or even to tell it was time to go home. I am sure you will all miss her deeply, but what a gift to have her for a Mother. My thoughts are with you.
Becky Pilkington Phares
Jan Gray Hoskins
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Margie and Mike, you and your family are in my prayers. What a beautiful life your mother had. Class of 71'
Deb and Bill Jeffs
Thursday, May 7, 2015
With our sympathy.
Leta Ruple
Thursday, May 7, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to all of the family for your loss.
Bennie Campbell
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Great lady, sold her a train table for the store many years ago. She will be missed
Thursday, May 7, 2015
I always looked forward to seeing Jeans sweet smile and her beautiful flower arrangement each Sunday at Grace. She was so generous with her flowers and her talent. I have missed her
Cheryl Henley Myers
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Leah, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's death. What a blessing to have had her for so long. May God's peace surround you. Love to you all!
John Dutton
Thursday, May 7, 2015
With a very heavy heart I sign this guest book.
Jimmie Norwine
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Jean was a great person
John McAllister
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Jenny,
Amy and I have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Rick & Melinda Reynolds
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Jenny and family we are so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Floyd E. Carter, Jr.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Expressing heartfelt sympathy and offering a prayer, that God above will comfort you and ease the loss you bear.