Mary Evelyn Ward Wilkins, 82, of Bedford and formerly of Suffolk, died Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at her residence. She was born in Nansemond County, VA on May 18, 1926 a daughter of the late Merritt A. Ward and Una Vera Jones Ward. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ervin Wilkins. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Suffolk and worked for many years at Nansemond Drug Store.

She is survived by her daughter, Louise W. Welch and husband, Jim.; her grandson, Christopher Thomas Knox all of Bedford; a sister, Emma Ward Ambrose and husband, Hubert of Corapeake, NC; and a nephew Al Ambrose and wife, Terri of Corapeake, NC.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk with Rev. Stewart McCarter officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends may join the family for visitation on Saturday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements were handled in Bedford by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com