Booker T Wilkins

Booker T. Wilkins of Avenel, NJ was the only child born to the late Reathia Anthony Whitted and the late Clarence Wilkins on February 1, 1936. He departed this life on July 12, 2020. He grew up and was educated in Scotland Neck, NC, where he graduated from Brawley High School. He joined the Kehukie Baptist Church at an early age where he played the piano for the choir. Booker received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Morgan State College in 1957. He later graduated from Rutgers University, receiving an M.S.W. and Kean College where he received a M.A. in Student Personnel Services. He also attended Columbia University to further his education. Upon moving to New Jersey, Booker joined the Abyssinian Baptist Church of Newark, NJ in 1958, where he remained a faithful member until his illness would not allow him to attend. He was married in December 1963 to the late Edith White Mangum. To this union, two sons: the late Dirk Wilkins and Brian Wilkins were born. He served two years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of SP as a Neuropsychiatric Specialist. He was employed by the Essex County Welfare Department as a Case Worker and Supervisor (1961 – 1979), receiving a deferred retirement. Other short periods of employment were held with the Montgomery Neighborhood Center in Rochester, NY and the Newark Welfare Department. In 1979, he was employed by the Newark Board of Education as a School Social Worker from which he retired in 1997. Booker Wilkins was a part of the Abyssinian Baptist Church Trustee Board and served as Vice President for a number of years. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was a 32 Degree member of the Joseph Junck Lodge, King Solomon Grand Lodge. He was also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Newark Teachers Union. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Edith and son Dirk. He will be lovingly remembered by his son Brian (Sertirus); grandchildren Daniel, Dana (Rahway, NJ), Marcus, Brianna (Colonia, NJ); Goddaughter Jamie Hudson (Scotch Plains, NJ), Godson Caz Minor (Mays Landing, NJ), special longtime friend Ms. Doris P. Holden (Raleigh, NC) and a host of other relatives and friends.