Amanda Elizabeth (Garrett) Wilks

Amanda Elizabeth Garrett Wilks was born March 24, 1936 to Ernest and Elease Garrett in Culleoka, Tennessee. She was the fifth of nine children. The family moved to Dayton, Ohio when she was seven years old. Amanda attended Dayton Public Schools and graduated from Dunbar High School, in 1954, as the Salutatorian of her class. She furthered her studies at The Ohio State University, in Columbus, where she majored in Education and graduated in 1959. While a student at OSU, Amanda pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Later, she earned additional degrees and certifications as a Reading Specialist from OSU. Amanda taught 3rd and 4th grades in the Columbus Public Schools for 42 years. After her retirement, she worked as a Reading Specialist in the Phoenix Public Schools for two years. She was a passionate, devoted, and talented educator. On December 22, 1956, she was joined in holy matrimony to Eugene Samuel Wilks. Amanda and Eugene were devoted to one another for 37 years until his passing in 1993. This union produced a son, Eugene Samuel Wilks, Jr. (known affectionately as Skip), and a daughter, Deanna Carol Wilks Williams. In 2000, Amanda relocated from her long-term home in Columbus to the Phoenix area in order to be closer to Deanna. After a short stay in Scottsdale, she settled in Sun Lakes, Arizona. She became involved in the local Democratic Party and the African-Americans of Sun Lakes. She attended Chandler Christian Church, now Compass Christian Church. Amanda loved to curl up with a good book; she read everything from current fiction and Harry Potter, to political works and biographies. She also enjoyed movies and intriguing television shows such as the Game of Thrones. Always fashionable, Amanda delighted in collecting vintage jewelry and wearing beautiful hats and chic clothing; she never looked her actual age. However, by far, her greatest joy was the time she spent with her beloved grandson, Wesley. She always had something both fun and educational planned for their times together. They were a great joy to one another. On Thursday, August 17, 2017, after a brief illness, Amanda Wilks completed the final leg of her life's journey while at her home in Sun Lakes, Arizona. She was 81. In addition to her husband and parents, Amanda was preceded in death by her son Eugene, Jr., brothers, Walter, Maury, Steven, and Drake Garrett; and sisters, Hermanie McFarland and Roberta Garrett. Amanda is survived by her daughter Deanna (Raymond) Williams; beloved grandson Raymond “Wesley” Williams of Chandler, Arizona; sisters, Mae Grant and Effie (Lou) Kendall; godchildren, Garrett Kendall and Melissa Kendall Burrows (Grady) of Cleveland, Ohio; many beloved nieces and nephews, to include Ronald and his wife, Janet (Wish) Bennett who have been devoted family friends for over 40 years; longtime friend and Delta Soror, Joanne Craig of Sun Lakes, Arizona; and a host of other friends and relatives. Amanda will be truly missed by all those who knew her.