Louise Elizabeth Wilkinson (Beth), age 58, died suddenly on Saturday February 4, 2017 in Bellingham, WA. Beth was born on December 14, 1958 in Memphis, TN. She spent her childhood in Covington and Memphis, TN, as well as New Orleans, LA, where her father completed his medical residency. Following high school, Beth attended college at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo, where she received her B.S. in accounting in 1983. Having worked for several years as an accountant in Memphis, she followed her passion to help people and received her M.A. in speech pathology from Memphis State University in 1993. Eventually, Beth settled down in Bellingham, WA, where she continued her practice as a speech pathologist.
Beth spent many happy hours with her beloved Grandma Becky (Rebekah Witherington McCullough). She and her grandmother were inseparable until Becky’s death in 1971, when Beth was thirteen years old. They shared a deep connection and loved each other unconditionally. Beth’s son, Joseph, was the other love of her life. He brought her great pride and joy.
Beth is survived by her son, Joseph Rahman; her mother and stepfather, Louise Starr and Jim Bradshaw, all living in Bellingham; two sisters, Amy Jungwirth of Covington, TN, and Jeanne Lewis and her husband, Andrew, of Arlington, VA; one brother, Bill McCullough and his wife, Erica, of Larkspur, CA; a special companion and friend, David Wilcox of Bellingham, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Billie Shelton McCullough; grandparents, Madron and Myra Joyce, and Billie Sr. and Rebekah Witherington McCullough.
A service in honor of Beth was held August 5, 2017 at the First Congregational Church in Bellingham, WA.
Contributions in memory of Beth may be made to the Lighthouse Mission Ministries at www.thelighthousemission.org.
A private family burial will be held Monday, February 4, 2019 at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Fayette, MO.
Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.
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