Whitney Carnelia (Wilkins) Lyles

Whitney Carnelia Lyles Wilkins was born in Spartanburg County on June 4,1935 to the Dean Lyles and Lois Kelly Lyles. On March 10,2026, the Lord our God called her home to be with him, in a life far better than this world could ever be. At an early age she gave her life to Christ and joined the Ridgeville Baptist Church, singing on the choir, attending Sunday School, which she enjoyed learning about Jesus Christ. In her later years still devoting her life to Christ as a mother of the church and on the event planning and decorating committee at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. After graduating high school, she furthered her education in the medical field. Graduating and becoming a phlebotomist, retiring from Planned Parenthood in New Jersey and St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, NC. Later working for Dearfield Retirement Home part time doing flower arrangements and decorating their windows, along with private work on her own.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willie Wall Wilkins, in addition to her sons, Anthony Wilkins and Alfred Wilkins. Her brothers, William, Robert, Edward, Burwell, Boyce, Lee, Stanley, and her sisters, Katheryn, Kitty, and Annelle. 

Whitney and Wille had 6 children together and left her memories to be cherished by her children, daughters, Minister Audrey Rice, Darlene Wilkins Reed (Benny) sons, Kevin Wilkins and Willie Derrick Wilkins (Tanya) her grandchildren Carla, Renea, Simone, Adrienne and Markell Smith, Anthony and Arkisha Wilkins, Valerie, Mutah, Jerome, Tiffany and Derek Barbosa. A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews who she also loved dearly.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Casey & Gist Funeral Service

1223 Old Anderson Mill Rd.

Moore, SC. 29364

(864) 574- 5464

PUBLIC VIEWING 

FRIDAY MARCH, 27,2026

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

56 Walton St. 

Asheville,NC.28801

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday March 28,2026

12:00 Noon

Ridgeville Baptist Church

385 Ridgeville Baptist Church Rd

Inman, SC. 29349

Interment in the church cemetery

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