Reverend Dr. James Kenneth Wilkerson
July 18, 1933 - September 18, 2026
Reverend Dr. James Kenneth Wilkerson was born in Winchester, Tennessee to John Thomas Wilkerson and Alma Agnes Crabtree Wilkerson. Ken and his older brother Glenn grew up on a small farm, without electricity or running water for most of their childhood, and attended a one room schoolhouse.
Ken graduated from Franklin County High School in 1951. He answered the call to the ministry and was licensed to preach in 1951. He graduated from Martin Methodist College in 1953 and Florida Southern College in 1955. While at Florida Southern, Ken met and married Rubye Gail Brooks in 1954. They were married for 67 years.
After graduation, Ken and Gail moved back to Tennessee, where Ken enrolled at Vanderbilt University. He pastored several Methodist churches in the Nashville area while earning his Bachelor of Divinity degree. He was ordained as an Elder and admitted into full connection in the Tennessee Conference in 1958.
Ken went on to earn his Ph.D. in theology and philosophy from Vanderbilt in 1967, while also teaching religion and German at Martin Methodist College, and serving several small churches. He was awarded a Fulbright to study in Germany in 1964, and was later awarded N.E.H. grants for post-graduate study at Yale and Vanderbilt.
In 1968, Ken became a professor of religion at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, and taught there until his retirement in 2000. Being a part of the Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson was a special treat.
In 2004 Ken and Gail moved to Johnson City to be near their daughter Rubye and family. They enjoyed being part of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church and made many friends there. Ken served as a loving and dedicated caregiver to Gail in her last few years, until her death in 2021.
Ken died after a long decline with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Remarkably, he kept his sparkling sense of humor until the end.
Ken is survived by his brother Glenn Wilkerson, his children Rubye Beck (Scott Beck), Laura Eskenazi (Michael Eskenazi), and James Kenneth Wilkerson, Jr. (Judy Barrett), his six grandchildren, Alicia Birkholz (Ryan Birkholz), Emily Beck, Claire Beck (Nora McCook), Clio Wilkerson, Michael M. Eskenazi (Madyson Screen), and Robin Wilkerson. He is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Jude and Marlowe.
Our family would like to express our deep gratitude to the caregivers from Home Instead for their kindness and good humored care for Ken. We would also like to thank all the therapists, nurses, doctors and others who cared for Dad during this challenging period of his life.
Contributions in Ken’s memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 P.M. at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. An informal reception will follow the service.
Condolences may be sent to the Wilkerson family online at www.dillow-taylor.com
Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, TN 423-753-3821
Dr. Wilkerson was an amazing professor, kind hearted spirit, and a great neighbor. He and Mrs. Wilkerson welcomed my parents and my family to the Holiday Gardens neighborhood in Jackson, TN, during very challenging times in the early 1970s. He was instrumental in my attending Lambuth College and was one of my favorite professors and faculty members. He taught me humility and patience and a different way to see the world while being true to your strongly held beliefs. My condolences to Rubye, Laura, Kenneth and his entire family and all who were touched by him.
10/02/2026
Andrea Clark
I had the privilege of growing up at Lambuth Memorial and being nurtured by Dr. and Mrs. Wilkerson. They were so very kind to me and my family and meant so much to us. Dr. Wilkerson was so funny and I was lucky enough to have him as my professor at Lambuth as well.
09/22/2026
Ben Boone
Ken was one of my favorite Lambeth professors! He encouraged us all to think deeply and wisely. Grateful for his life!
