Carl E. "Skinny" Wilkins

Grieve Not Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you... I loved you so -- 'twas Heaven here with you. by Isla Paschal Richardson On June 8, 2014, Heaven hosted a joyous reunion as God brought Carl E. Wilkins home to his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty Louise Callawoy Wilkins. Also waiting with open arms and hearts were his sons David and Steven Wilkins, as well as his parents Carl S. and Myrtle Mitchell Wilkins, and sisters Elizabeth Jacobs, Abbie Hosier, Frances Farlow, and Julia Joseph. The Wilkins family has drawn great comfort from the visions of this happy celebration, and we all look forward to the day when we too may be the guest of honor. In his ninety years, Carl, AKA Skinny, lived. An Army veteran of World War II, he served first as a radar operator and finally as a truck driver as the war ended, moving the troops from Burma to the ships that would take them home. His grandchildren were fascinated by the story of him seeing Gandhi on the streets of India. Upon returning from the Pacific theatre, he promptly fell in love with Betty and shortly thereafter settled down to start a family. This resulted in four sons in four years. After a few nonstarters, he settled down with Delmarva Power and Light, retiring in 1978, 25 years later, as a supervisor. During this time the Wilkins family had moved to the farm in the small community of Melsons where they happily settled to raise their four boys. Through the years, Skinny Wilkins gave back to his community in a multitude of ways. He was a life and the last charter member and past commander of VFW Post 8276, Delmar, Maryland. He was a 50 year member of Delmar Masonic Lodge 201 AF&AM, and was a Sunday school teacher at Melsons United Methodist Church. He was past president of the Delmar school board, only leaving after his last son graduated high school, and he deemed it safe. He was a devoted family man, and in what little spare time he had, he took his sons camping and chaperoned church excursions for the youth. In his later years, he and Betty kicked up their heels, traveling to the Holy Land, Egypt, Europe, Mexico, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. In order to avoid further airline travel, Skinny talked his wife into a winter home in Florida, first in Fort Myers, but finally, and most contentedly in the park of Lily Lake, Frostproof, Florida. There they socialized and played golf to their hearts delight, and reveled in playing host to visiting family. Carl and Betty had long, happy lives. Carl is survived by son Edward (Cindi), son Michael (Joann), daughters-in-law Debra and Karen, grandchildren Melanie (Ronnie), Brian (Angie), Mickey (Beth), Andy (Lisa), Mindy (Lawton), Robin (Neil), Carla, and Jacob (Manaia), great grandchildren Katie, Josh, Kevin, Elysa, Michael Eli, Wes, Jackson, Sadie, Ryder, Wyatt, Autumn, Maggie, Brendan, and Thomas, as well as a sister, Doris, Scruggs, and brother-in-law, Jackie Mills Calloway, the Webster children and grandchildren, various nieces and nephews, and a very special little dog, Buck Oliver. The family wishes to extend a grateful thanks to Beth Mullinx for her tender care of Skinny during his last months on Earth, and also praise Hospice on the Lake for their above and beyond care in his final days. The Wilkins Family is eternally grateful. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Melson United Methodist Church, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment with military honors will follow at Melson’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Melson United Methodist Church, 32705 Melson Road, Delmar, MD 21875. Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Carl E. "Skinny" Wilkins

October 21, 1923 - June 8, 2014