Brooksie Wilkinson

Brooksie Nell Tudor Wilkinson, a sterling example of The Greatest Generation, passed away on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at her home at Cree Meadows Country Club in Ruidoso, NM at the age of 89. Brooksie was born into a farmingranching family in Throckmorton, TX in 1920. Her parents, John Daddy John and Amanda Cohron Tudor, known by all as Mama Tudor, preceded her in death, as did all her siblings, with the exception of her sister-in-law, Jessie Maude Tudor, 99, of Throckmorton. Brooksie is survived by her childhood sweetheart and husband of 72 years, Woods W. Watt Wilkinson; children: firstborn, Lawrence W. Wilkinson of Hopkinsville, KY; Carol Anne Hammitt of Roswell, NM; George W. Wilkinson of Ruidoso; and her youngest, Linda Vaughn and husband, Russ, of Ruidoso. Brooksie has four grandchildren: Julie Deyerle and husband Daniel of Monterrey, CA; Jana Hammitt of Roswell; Kathleen Winebarger and husband Robbie of Ft. Campbell, KY; and Laura Wilkinson of Chicago, IL. Brooksie is survived as well by many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews scattered all across America, who, along with us, are going to miss their Meemaw and Aunt Brooksie tremendously.

Like many of her era, Brooksie married young during the Great Depression and worked hard raising her family as her husband went off to war. Brooksie was a beauty whose pictures were often mistaken by Watts Army buddies for Hollywood stars of the time. Her rewards for her grit and stamina came later in life with years of overseas travel and living well in exotic locales in the Mideast, Far East and South America as Watt worked his way up in the oil industry to become an area manager of both land-based and offshore drilling operations for major oil companies. Following their retirement from the oil patch, Watt and Brooksie moved from their home base since 1953, Odessa, TX, to Ruidoso where Brooksie operated a bookstore and gift shop in Sierra Mall and Watt built homes.

Brooksie and Watt made friends easily all around the world and in their retirement were a familiar sight at the Cree Meadows clubhouse and the Ruidoso Elks Club where they could be seen on the dance floor well into their late eighties. Brooksie often said she began dating Watt because he was the only one of the few Throckmorton High School boys who could dance, who would dance. And dance they did for seven decades, waltzing across Texas and around the world, sharing their last dance just a few months ago.

Waltz across Texas with you in my arms,

Waltz across Texas with you,

Like a story book ending, Im lost in your charms,

And I could waltz across Texas with you.

Ernest Tubbs

A viewing will be held at La Grone Funeral home from 5:00 pmshy;shy;shy;shy;shy; to 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 20th. A celebration of Brooksies remarkable life will be held at La Grone Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 21, at 2:00 pm, followed by interment at Hondo Valley Burial Park.

All friends of Brooksie and Watt are most welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to Ruidoso Home Care and Hospice, who provided Brooksie with gentle, loving, hospice care in the last weeks of her life.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5:00 PM until 7:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Friday, August 21, 2009
2:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Ruidoso Hondo Valley Cemetery
MM 267.5 on U.S. Highway 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM  88346