Anthus O. "Jean" Gilkey

Anthus O. "Jean" Gilkey, 78, of Parsons, entered rest at 2:27 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

She was born July 23, 1937 in Rentiesville, Oklahoma to Laurena Darkis. As a young girl, she grew up in Rentiesville where she attended school and continued to live there until moving to Parsons in 1956.

Through the years, Jean worked as a cook at the SEK-CAP Head Start Program, Adventure Line Manufacturing Company, and as food service supervisor at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center until retiring after 30 years of service.

She was a beloved member of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Parsons for over 65 years. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include:
One Son – Max Gilkey and his wife, Mary Leavenworth, KS
Four Daughters – Virginia Money Parsons, KS
Florentine Gilkey K.C., MO
Patricia Gilkey and companion, Leon Shaw Parsons, KS
Ceresta Hill and husband, Tony Oklahoma City, OK
Thirteen Grandchildren – Sean Dawson, Shamika Gilkey, London Dawson, Christina Hale, Jamie Gilkey, Joy Money, Matthew Gilkey, Rejeanne Alomenu, Natasha Gilkey, Sidney Bryant, Destiny Gilkey, Ashley Hill and Maurice Hill
Twelve Great-Grandchildren and one "on the way"
Two Sisters – Norma Charlene Ross Smyrna, GA
Sherry Hardridge Parsons, KS
Two Brothers – Jimmie Darkis and wife, Linda Parsons, KS
Gary Darkis and wife, Gloria Wichita, KS
One Uncle – Charles D. Davis, Sr. Denver, CO
A special nephew she helped raise – Kenneth Gilyard Checotah, OK
A close friend who was like a brother – Alfonso Cooper and his wife, Ruth, of Oklahoma City, OK
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

She was preceded in death by her mother, Laurena Darkis; two daughters, B.J. Gilkey-Smith and Lorine Dawson-Eason; and three brothers, Johnnie Johnson, Adam Darkis, and Robert Henderson, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.