Alise Luana (Shook) Wilkinson, 87, of Denton, Texas, and previously Holiday Island, Ark., passed away Sept. 17, 2016. She was born on February 2, 1929, at home in Oklahoma.
Alise attended the University of Arkansas, where she met her future husband, Mitch, at a Westminster social gathering. In 1952, she graduated from the U of A with a degree in Home Economics. She taught Home Economics at the high school level, where she was a favorite, earning the nickname “Teach.”
In 1955, she attended McCormick Theological Seminary and completed her Masters in Christian Education. In 1956, Mitch and Alise married, moved to Dallas, and made their home there for more than 30 years. Committed to lifelong learning, Alise attended Texas Woman’s University. She completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 1976, and practiced for more than 20 years.
Alise “retired” to Holiday Island, Ark., spending more than 25 years making new friends, obtaining her Master Gardeners, learning, building and teaching the dulcimer, traveling the world with Mitch, and creating folk art (paper cuttings, apple head dolls…) which she gave to friends and family.
Committed to her faith, Alise remained actively involved in her church, and renewed old and built new friendships. She had the gifts of cooking and hospitality and loved people, and welcomed friends and acquaintances who didn’t have family into her home during the holidays; or pretty much any time. Some special friends who impacted Alise’s life were Marietta, Nancy, Jerry, Cindy, Cruz and many others.
Alise was preceded in death by her parents Nettie Clara (Cole) and Hugh Thomas Shook; her brother, Hugh Thomas Shook; and nephew, Mark Shook. She is survived by her husband of more than 59 years, Mitchell Malloy Wilkinson; her daughter, Valorie Grace (Wilkinson) Frederico; her son, Theodore (Ted) Mitchell Wilkinson; sister-in-law, Wanda Shook; niece, Sherry (Shook) Barragan; and many great nieces and nephews. Surviving his grandmother is Joseph Paul Frederico. Paul is Alise’s beloved and only grandchild. She actively invested love, time, and support into his life. He will miss his “Granny” dearly.
Visitation is planned for Thursday, September 22, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Junction City, Ark.. Services are scheduled for Friday, September 23, at 11 a.m. at Scotland Cemetery in Junction City, Ark., and under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, El Dorado, Ark. A memorial service in Eureka Springs, Ark., will be scheduled for a later date.
To honor Alise, please consider making a donation to First Presbyterian Church Eureka Springs, C/O Alise’s Flower Garden Fund, P.O. 636, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 72632 and look for those who are alone and welcome them in.