Elsie Marie (Brake) Wilkinson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was born October 30, 1936 in Shannon County, Missouri, the daughter of Earl Albert Brake and Ossie Marie (Ledbetter) Brake. She passed to the loving arms of Jesus, on January 11, 2026 at Friendship Village in Sunset Hills, Missouri at the age of 89.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Steven Pigg, daughter-in-law, Mary Dean Jinkerson, and step-son Randy Wilkinson. Elsie is survived by her loving and devoted husband Lonzo Dewain Wilkinson; children: David Jinkerson, Pamela Pigg, Melanie (Richard) Goldstein, Timothy (Kimberly) Jinkerson; grandchildren: Sean-Patrick Jinkerson, Richard Jinkerson, Natalie Pigg (Corey Dodson), Laura (James) Williams, Annamarie Goldstein (John McCormick), Neil Goldstein; great-grandchildren Oscar Williams, Alexander Williams, and Luke McCormick; sister: Ruthie (the late Jerry) Applegate; brothers: Howard (Wilma) Brake, Dale (the late Vivian) Brake; several nieces and nephews; step-children: Deborah (David) Neavill, Dennis (Andrea) Wilkinson; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Elsie was “Grammy” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made the absolute best chocolate chip and molasses cookies ever! She attended Ironton High School and retired from the DeSoto School District after serving as a bus driver to hundreds of children during her 26 years of service. She loved to read, listen to classical music, and true crime mysteries. Elsie’s Christian faith was unwavering.