Earl Terry Wilkes

Lancaster Earl Terry Wilkes, 70, died Saturday, December 4, 2021, at MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center.A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at a later date. Terry is survived by his wife of 33 years, Phyllis Collins Wilkes; his ex-wife, Dian; four children, Eddy (Teresa), Clara (Polly), Terry, II, Shawn (Sharon); two step-sons, Russ Freeman (Terri) and Matt Freeman (Mandy); twelve grandchildren, Eddy, Brooke, Thomas, Nathan, Daniel, Lexus, Madison, Iva, Evan, Jordan, Faithlynn, and Elliott; four great grandchildren, Lucas, Sophia, Easton and Olivia. Born July 14, 1951 in Chester, SC, Terry was a son of the late Carlisle “Kite” Wilkes and Maryann Cooper Wilkes. He was a graduate of Chester High School and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps having served in Vietnam.Terry was a carpenter/contractor by trade; however, he had many other pursuits during his lifetime.He was a self-taught artist, guitar player and singer who loved entertaining people with his singing, jokes and family anecdotes.To his family’s delight, he never forgot any of their embarrassing or funny incidents and many loved to hear them over and over again.Most people didn’t know that he cared deeply for all children of the world who were in any way harmed, had physical or mental sickness or were poor and disadvantaged.He was not a rich man but steadily over the years contributed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and bought small gifts for the little ones he saw in stores or ones he knew didn’t have much. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101 or Agape Care of Spartanburg, 110 Dillon Dr., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfunerahome.com.