A native of Webster County and Mathiston was honored by the town and many of her friends on Saturday.
Lillian Wilkins turned 100 on Sunday and all of her friends wanted to be part of the occasion. A reception at the Mathiston United Methodist Church allowed people to do that.
“We are neighbors in Starkville,” said John McLendon, as he nodded toward Wilkins. “She is just inspirational. Five years ago she was mowing her yard with a push mower.”
“She still walks every day, even with a walker,” Rosie Oppendal, another Starkville neighbor added. “Any time I feel down, I can go visit with Lillian and leave feeling better.”
But that’s not all she does. She still bakes, making cookies and cakes for neighbors, friends or the church bake sale. Wilkins is known for her baking skills and her neighbors appreciate it.
Though she was born in Webster County, Wilkins spent her career in Memphis working for the Civil Service. Her husband, Newton Wilkins, was a firefighter in Memphis. When retirement came, they built a home in Spring Valley and came home to Mathiston.
“She’s an amazing lady,” said her niece Cynthia Watanave of Baton Rouge. And from the size of the crowd gathered, Cynthia isn’t the only person who thinks so.
