Ira Joe Wilkerson was born to the parentage of the late William Wilkerson and the late Eula Wilkerson on Jan. 17, 1958.

He was educated in the Bibb County, AL School System.

At an early age he joined Antioch Baptist Church in Harrisburg, AL.

In 1985 he was united in Holy Matrimony to Beverly Sims Wilkerson and to this union five children were born.

Ira worked at MacLean for 22 years as a Supervisor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Donnie Wilkerson and sister Mary Wilkerson.

Ira departed this life on at Brookwood Shelby Medical center in Alabaster, AL.

He leaves to cherish his memories his darling wife Beverly Sims Wilkerson. His children Nurkilya Bell of Brent, AL, Latoya Wilkerson of Calera, AL, Dandrell Cadell of Ft. Wayne, IN, Crystal Bishop and Justin Wilkerson, both of Tuscaloosa, AL. Two brothers, William (Mary) Wilkerson and James Wilkerson; three sisters, Myra (Eddie) Conwell, Brenda Dixon and Elaine Wilkerson; Nine grandchildren one aunt, special friends, Neal Martin, Kelly sanders, Kelvin Sherrer and Andrew Cutts, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, January 21, 2022, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at The Good Shepherd Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 22 at Pleasant Sabine Baptist Church in Antioch, AL with burial at Pleasant Sabine Cemetery.