Wilkes, Myra Annette (Mrs. Jack)

Myra Annette Germany Wilkes was born November 28, 1918 in Grand Saline, Texas . She died September 30, 2009 in Lafayette , Louisiana . Her parents were Eugene Benjamin and Maggie Lee Wilson Germany.

Annette graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas in 1936. In 1940, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Methodist University, with majors in Spanish and English. Annette married Jack Wilkes on August 20, 1941 . Jack was an ordained minister in the Oklahoma Conference of the Methodist and later United Methodist Church .

In 1957, Jack became President of Oklahoma City University and in 1963, Jack was elected Mayor of Oklahoma City. Annette and Jack made Shreveport home in 1964, when Jack became the President of Centenary College. Then in 1969, they moved to Dallas , where Jack was Vice-President of SMU. Three months later, Annette became a widow at the age of 50. She decided to return to SMU, where she received her Master of Arts degree in Spanish. Following that, Annette worked as secretary to W. McFerrin Stowe, Bishop of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church . She worked there until his retirement in 1980, and then helped out in the family oil business with her brothers until the late 1980s.

Among her volunteer activities was the Board of the Wesley-Rankin Community Center (serving as treasurer), the Board of the Lydia Patterson Institute of El Paso (serving as secretary), the Board of Southwestern University (serving as secretary), and the United Methodist district Board of Church Extension (serving as secretary). She also loved to craft and made many items for C.C. Young's rummage and craft sale each year.

Annette grew up and was married in the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas , and she made it her church home again in 1969. She was active in the AYA Sunday School class.

Four years ago her Alzheimer's made it necessary for her to move to Louisiana , where Susie and Chris could help take care of her. Before that, she very much enjoyed her life at C.C. Young Retirement Community in Dallas , where she had a number of dear friends.

Annette was preceded in death by her parents, by her brother Wilson Germany and his wife Sis - Jenny Margaret Blackman, and by her brother Norman Germany (Bowser). Her sister-in-law Margie Germany survives her. Annette's children are Sally Birdsall of Chico, Texas; Rex Wilkes and his wife Karen of Oklahoma City; Judy Bailey of Denton, Texas; and Susie Blanchard and her husband, Chris, of Lafayette, Louisiana. She had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by eight nieces and nephews and their offspring.