Gale D. Wilkins

Gale D. Wilkins, 95, widow of Herbert I. Wilkins, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026 after a long battle with dementia.

She was born in Only, Tennessee to William Oscar Dudley and Maudy Reath Cline Dudley. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 63 years, Herbert Ira Wilkins, her oldest daughter Iris Jeryl Peebles and her only son, Jerry Darwin Wilkins.

She loved learning. She obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1978 and taught first grade. She loved sewing, making many of the clothes she and her children wore. She was a longtime member of the Carolina Pine Quilters, an early member of the Wise Outrageous Women, and a early member of the Senior Poetry Corner after having written poetry for many years. She also loved story telling and traveling with her husband to attend many story telling conventions in numerous states. They also traveled all over America by car exploring all states but one. They took overseas trips to Hawaii, Belgium and Italy. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren Cody and Paula, sewing, teaching first grade and reading.

She is survived by her sister June Prince, niece Kim, brother Mark Dudley, nephews Eric and Adam, sister Doris Visser, niece Jennifer and nephew Brian, son-in-law Randy Peebles, daughter-in-law Brenda Wilkins, grandson Cody and Pimolrat Wilkins, granddaughter Paula and Eric Lian, daughter Janice Anniece Wilkins and her husband Jon D. Silverberg.

Funeral services will be private.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC