Deborah Wilkins

Ms. Deborah Y.S. Boone Wilkins departed this life on February 3, 2022, after a brief illness. A beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend she will be missed by all. A Suffolk native she was fondly referred to as “Debo”. Deborah was the daughter of the late Magdelene Skinner and Ernest Hargrave Jr. She was predeceased by one sister Jacqueline Skinner, Brother Gary Skinner, son Corey Boone, and also grandson Corvonte L. Harris. Deborah was a 1970 Graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. After high school, she furthered her education while attending Paul D. Camp Community College and Norfolk State University where she majored in Early Childhood Development. Deborah worked a variety of jobs during her lifetime. She began her career as a bank teller. Additional career opportunities included working at Safeway grocery store and Walmart department store. Deborah loved working with children and spent many years as a substitute teacher in Suffolk Public School Systems. In her later years, she served as a loving caregiver for her grandchildren. Deborah’s favorite pastime was going to bingo. Deborah is survived by her children, Cordeni Boone of Portsmouth, VA, Swanson Boone (Danielle) of Suffolk, VA, and Derricca Beslow (Duane) of Suffolk, VA. She also leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: Nine grandchildren, Shaquala Harris, Shacoria Harris, Saniyah Boone, Nasir Boone, Mahkai Boone, Ava Boone, Kamari Beslow, Kamryn Beslow, and Kori Beslow. She also leaves two great-grandchildren, Lauren Harris, and Logan Harris. Deborah is also survived by loving and devoted sisters, Brenda Smith of Newport News, VA, Bonitha Skinner of Hampton, VA, and brother James Skinner (Clara) of Suffolk, VA, and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10, 2022 at New Paul’s Temple. Ms. Wilkins will be laid to rest in Holly Lawn Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deborah Wilkins, please visit our flower store.