Exie Wilkes

Exelona “Exie” Jean Hutson Wilkes passed away peacefully in sleep at her home in Baton Rouge on December 11, 2020, with family at her side. She was born April 6, 1925, in Hebron, Nebraska, the youngest of nine children, and raised in nearby Fairbury.

She attended Fairbury High School and loved to go to school parties where she was known as an outstanding dancer and roller skater. She was an accomplished student and was active in the high school band, where she played the flute. After graduating high school she worked at the state capitol in Lincoln, while taking business classes at a junior college. As WWII was ramping up, she went to work at Bruning Army Airfield Base near Fairbury. There she met her future husband, Hollie Alonzo Wilkes, who was in maintenance training on B-24 Liberator aircraft. Hollie was soon deployed overseas to the N. Africa and Italian campaign. All during the war Exie and Hollie would correspond, where Hollie would often repeat, ”When I get back, you’d better have a preacher in tow.” Indeed, at War’s end, Exie and Hollie were married in Lincoln on June 2, 1945, and within a couple of years were proud parents of two sons.

Exie lived the classic military family life, moving many times over the years, depending on station assignments, including two years in Japan. She was the rock of the family, holding everything together. She was an exceptionally skilled homemaker and brought her special touch of beauty to each home the family moved to. Of her many talents and hobbies, she was an artist with skills as a colorist. Her interests included a special love for birds, especially the Eastern Bluebird and she knew how best to attract them.

Retiring from the military, after Hollie had attained the rank of Lt. Colonel, Exie and Hollie settled in St. Petersburg, FL. They traveled to Europe and England and enjoyed road trips throughout the United States, including Alaska. Exie often said her favorite trip was to the ruins of ancient Greece. They moved to Biloxi, MS, to be able to attend important events of their grandchildren who lived in Baton Rouge. They lived in Biloxi, until 2005, when damage caused by Hurricane Katrina forced a move to Baton Rouge.

Exie was proud of her Scottish descent. Her mother, Mary Jane McDonald, was affiliated with Clan Donald. Her grandfather Allan McDonald came to North America from Scotland and settled in Glengary County, Canada before homesteading in Ohiowa, Nebraska in 1871, where they lived in “sod houses” built from blocks cut from the soil. Eventually the entire family moved to Hebron, Nebraska, where Exie’s mother Mary met her husband, Harve Hutson, a native of Noblesville, Indiana.

Exie was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Hollie Alonzo Wilkes, her parents Harve Wheeler Hutson and Mary Jane McDonald, and siblings Homer, Willis, Morris, George, Richard, Pat, Eleanor, and Mary Jane. She also held fond memories of her beloved poodle Josette until the end.

She is survived by her son Timothy Allan Wilkes of Baton Rouge and his wife Linda, their children Laura Lampin of Baton Rouge, Kendra Lynn Wilkes of Tampa, FL, Brian Allan Wilkes and his wife Doreen of Redding, CA, and their children Delaney and Reegan. She is also survived by her son Angus Duncan Wilkes of Baton Rouge, his wife Sheridan and their children Lindsay C. Wilkes and her spouse Carolyn B. Valahu of Raleigh, NC, Matthew Rembert Wilkes and his wife Kellington of Austin, TX, and Keith Hutson Wilkes, of New Orleans, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Exie was dearly loved by all her family and everyone who knew her.

A brief visitation  will be held at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, December 15, with service following at 12:00 PM, at Resthaven Funeral Home at 11817 Jefferson Hwy, with a private graveside burial to follow immediately after.

Exie was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Baton Rouge. Special thanks to caregivers at St. James Wellness Center where she resided for six years, and to Joyce and Shelita for taking care of her in her final days at home.

Contributions in her memory may be made to American Bird Conservancy, P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA  20198.