Pastor Mark James Eldridge Wilkerson was born on April 1, 1962, in St. Louis, Missouri, to his mother, Velma Lee Carr Moody. He peacefully passed away on April 22, 2025, in Bainbridge, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his mother and his brother Weldon in 2020.

The youngest of six siblings, Pastor Wilkerson received his education in the St. Louis Public School system, attending Dunbar and Columbia Elementary Schools before graduating from Central High School. He continued his studies at Forest Park Community College.

At a young age, Pastor Wilkerson dedicated his life to Christ and was baptized by the late Rev. I C. Peay at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO. While studying at Forest Park Community College, he discovered his calling to ministry and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1988 at the Baptist Church of the Holy Communion in St. Louis, MO.

Pastor Wilkerson ministered in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, MO, until 1990, after which he moved to Tallahassee, Florida. There, he shared his spiritual guidance at several churches, including Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee, FL, Old Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Havana, FL, Mount Pilgram Primitive Baptist Church in Quincy, FL, and Pilgram Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Bainbridge, GA. He was frequently invited to speak at various churches and events throughout Florida and Georgia. In 2014, he established his own ministry, the Life Church of Bainbridge, where he served as pastor until his health began to decline. He also dedicated time to assisting other pastors in establishing new ministries before embarking on his own.

Pastor Wilkerson's memory and legacy will continue to live on through his beloved family, extended relatives, and numerous friends. He is survived by his wife, Faye Wilkerson; his two sons, Mark Jr., and Kristopher; his daughters, Ka'Niya, Ashely, and Tiera; his four grandchildren, Travin Jamal, Zyion Jane, De'Asia, and Massiah Amire; his brothers, Charles,  Fredrick, Nicholas, Michael, and David; his sisters, Yolanda, Pamela, Paula, Hazel, and Alberta; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will also be dearly remembered by his godmother, Juanita Sargent (Big Mama), and special friend Deacon Johnny Montgomery.

Floral Arrangements

ELINOR DOYLE FLORIST
324 North Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL  32301, (850) 222-1298

https://www.elinordoyleflorist.com

The Greenery Floral & Tuxedo Place
1715 W Jefferson Street, Quincy, Florida 32351

850-662-4679

https://www.quincyflowershop.com

Resolutions can be emailed to hawksfmc@gmail.com