Irene Ann Wilkerson

On February 3, 2023 Mom would have been 100 years old but passed just 13 days before her birthday! On February 3, 2023 exactly 100 years to the day Mom will be put to rest at National Cemetery, Bakersfield, Ca.  

Irene Ann Zetter, was born in Stockton, Ca. to Lebanese immigrant parents, Assad Michael Zetter and Wadeo Ida (Rishwain) Zetter. Irene passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was met at the pearly gates by her beloved Jesus, her parents, her husband, Edwin Sr., her firstborn son, Frederick, brother Joseph Zetter, sister Haifa Zetter Phillips, and granddaughter Erica Wilkerson. 

at the age, of 7 years old Irene's mother died giving birth to her precious baby brother, Joseph.

 Irene, her sister Haifa age 9, and baby Joseph were left to grow up without their mother. Their father Assad, then a sole parent, set the examples they would proudly carry out in their lives. Faith, family, and hard work.

At age 21, Irene married her husband, Edwin M. Wilkerson, Sr., following a short courtship post-WW11. Together they had 4 sons, Frederick, deceased) Edwin, Jr., Joseph, and David. In 1966 her husband Edwin Sr. passed away leaving her a single parent. She met this challenge with courage and faith. She never waivered on doing what was best for her sons.

Our Mom, Irene, was a dedicated mother first and foremost. Her boys were her life! She went to work following her husband's death taking multiple toiling jobs and working, many times 7 days a week, to support her boys. Hard work and faith in God got her through her most difficult times. She never remarried.

She was the strongest woman you could ever know. 

Irene was honest, possibly to a fault. She always told you the truth, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear, LOL! 

She demonstrated by her example the Bible verse Ephesians 4;32 " And be kind and compassionate to one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ ".

Irene is survived by her sons, Ed Wilkerson, Jr., Joseph Wilkerson, and David Wilkerson.

Daughters-in-law, Danel Wilkerson, Lori Wilkerson, Mila Wilkerson, and Debra Shire. She treasured her daughters-in-laws as if they were her own daughters. 

Irene is also survived by her brother Dennis Zetter and sister Julie Zetter Casella of Stockton, Ca. and Sister’s in law Martha Zetter and Judith Rogers

Irene had  9 Grandchildren, Julie Wilkerson Holty, Dianna Wilkerson Taverner, Scott Wilkerson, Stacie Wilkerson Blevins, Lisa Wilkerson Karr, Andrea Wilkerson Koltun, Trevor Wilkerson, Harlan Wilkerson and Nicole Wilkerson Kurczodyna

And last but not least, Irene's legacy includes a whopping  17 great-grandchildren.

God bless you, Mom, and Grandma! We love you clear past the sky!