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Cheryl  Wilkins
In Memory of
Cheryl  Ann
Wilkins
1959 - 2017
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Obituary for Cheryl Ann Wilkins

Cheryl  Ann  Wilkins
Cheryl Ann Wilkins, 57, of Otto, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017.

Born in Lansing, MI, she was the daughter of Dan and Greta Ann Ballreich Wilkins.
Cheryl is survived by her mother; two daughters, Greta “Liu Bo” Wilkins and Isabella Wilkins and one brother, Randy Wilkins of Ft. Wayne, IN.

Cheryl, in her own words, “found obituaries to be mundane” and decided to share with you herself, her greatest adventure – her life.

I was a morose and naughty little girl. But when it came time, I pulled it together and got thru nursing school, which enabled me to be fully self supporting. I hated debt so I moved to the country and bought a little porch on a pond…the house came with it. Life got good when I decided to return to Jesus and follow Him…not that I was very good as a follower…but I gave it my best shot. I love God with all my heart. He has sustained me and loved me in spite of my shortcomings. His grace has always been sufficient.

The day God told me “Go to China and get a baby”…for which I balked…”I’m 40 God, and what will I do with a baby? I mean, you have to feed the thing three times a day”…and on and on. But I followed thru because when God speaks clearly you ‘Just Do It’. Liu Bo was handed to me in a lobby of a busy hotel along with 20 or so other babies. She cried for 4 hours, then stared at me for two hours, then ate 10 bowls of noodles and hasn’t looked back. She has been such a fun baby, full of laughter and also with a servants heart.

That began the greatest journey of my life. As I sat with my new daughter in southern China, I knew then I was coming back. I didn’t know how, what, why, or where, but I knew Who. Two years later we landed in southwest China and God opened doors only God could open. After two years Isabella came home with us. She was sick when they handed her to me. Pneumonia. Strange people the Chinese. They kept asking “Is she healthy? Sign here”. So I signed just to get her out of there. She’s never been sick since. And she’s a funny sweet little thing….loves to laugh and play to this day.

My two daughters have been the joy in my life. All the children we served in China and Nepal gave us a reality of what the rest of the world is like. It was a rich, yet heartbreaking and fulfilling experience for all three of us. One we wouldn’t take back for anything.

I know God says “By My stripes you are healed”. I just didn’t know if it was this side or that. My hope after my ‘home coming’ to Jesus is that my girls will continue to Love the Lord their God with all their hearts, and love their neighbor as themselves. Our moto is, “You can never outgive God”. I say, ‘Be generous and abundant to the person who is in need. Don’t ‘think’ about it, just do it.’ That doesn’t always mean money, but often it does. When God calls you to give, then give. I think they have that drilled into their heads.

Then the illness came. But by that time all I wanted to do was be home and rest. So I did. My life has been complete and rewarding. I thank a merciful God for leading and guiding me. I thank so many friends and family for loving me and showing me the way. It has been a truly blessed time to sit here and watch the girls do school, see their growth and progress, both bright and promising in their own ways. If I called it today I would say Liu Bo would turn out to be some sort of research scientist and Isa would be a working cowgirl with a paint brush and an apron in the kitchen. They both have a lovely flavor to them. I bless them and I bless my dear mother and all of you who have touched our lives thru the years, I bless you and thank you. See you soon.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 23rd at Franklin Covenant Church. Pastor John Makinson will officiate. A private graveside service was held at Asbury United Methodist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mercy Ships, PO Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

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