Joe Glenn Wilkins

Our father, Joe Glenn Wilkins, passed away peacefully at home with family on July 10, 2022. Joe was born on December 5, 1938 in Duck Hill, Mississippi where he lived with his parents, Dorothy (Dottee) and Drew (Dee), along with his siblings, Erne and Mary Glenda. He grew up in Winona, Mississippi with his mother, siblings, and his Uncle Cooley Glenn. He was an accomplished athlete playing football, basketball, track and baseball at Winona High School and received a football scholarship to play for the soon-to-be 1959 National Championship Ole Miss Football Team, The University of Mississippi. He then married his high school sweetheart on December 20, 1959 our mother Claudette Harrison, a former homecoming queen at Winona HS in 1957 and had four children, Gwendolyn (Wendy), Joe Glenn Jr, James Drew, and Dorothy (Suzanne), before finally settling in Houston, TX in 1967. Joe was a pivotal part in the growth of Bell Bottom Foundation with several different roles in his 30 years retiring in 1997 as President. Joe was loved by all his employees.

Joe enjoyed playing golf at Alvin Country Club with his buddies as was often seen playing cards in the club house . He and Claudette enjoyed being season ticket holders for the Houston Oilers and Gamblers football teams. In later years, Joe enjoyed his free time with his grandchildren teaching them how to do everything from ride a dirt bike to driving tractors and bulldozers on his Angleton farm.  You could always count on him to be at the grandchildren’s sporting events as there was nothing he enjoyed more than a Saturday up at the football and baseball fields.

He retired in Houston with many friends and all four of his children, grandchildren, and beloved Jack Russell terrier, Pinky. He is survived by his children, Wendy Wilkins Burks, her husband John Cade Burks IV, and their children John Cade ( J.C.) Burks V, and Harrison Cooley Burks.  Joe is also survived by his son Joe Glenn Jr, and James Drew, as well as his daughter Dorothy Suzanne Knupp, her son Paul Edward Kobza III, her husband Wayne Knupp, along with his children Logan, Avery, and Mason. Joe is also survived by his brother, Erne, and his sister, Mary Glenda Hoover.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Claudette Harrison Wilkins. His cremains will be buried in Winona next to his loving wife and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Mitchell, as well as many other family and friends that have passed.  A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on October 15^th, 2022 in Winona.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Colonel Donald H. Peterson Memorial Fund, c/o Flowers Accounting Service, PO Box 625, Winona, MS  38967.