Funeral services for Mrs. Thalia Elaine Cruse Wilkinson, age 92 of Ruston, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston with Bro. Greg Tipton officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Thalia, affectionately known as “Nanny,” was born June 10, 1931 in Enterprise, LA to George Lester Cruse, Sr. and Mary Duke Cruse and passed away October 19, 2023 in Ruston. Known as Nanny to everyone she met, Thala spread love and warmth wherever she went. She attended Enterprise High School and later pursued higher education at business school in Baton Rouge, LA. Thalia found solace in her faith and worshiped at Mineral Springs Baptist Church. She met her husband Roger when she returned from business school to visit her old high school. Their connection was instant, and they were married just one week later. The two remained happily married for over 50 years until Roger’s passing.
Thalia’s greatest joy in life was raising her three boys whom she loved dearly. She had a special love for children and considered several throughout her life to be her adopted children. Thalia had a talent for painting and shared her creations as a way to express her love and appreciation. She firmly believed that, through her artwork, she would never truly die, as she would be remembered. Thalia’s life was not without tragedy, as she experienced the devastating loss of her son Otis when he was a teenager. Now, they are reunited once again. Thalia will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her warm and loving presence left a lasting impact on those she encountered. Thalia will be remembered as a loving and compassionate woman who touched the lives of many. She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings; son Otis; spouse Roger Price Wilkinson, Jr.; and daughter-in-law Julie Wilkinson.
Thalia is survived by her two sons: Roger Cruse Wilkinson and Bennie Wayne Wilkinson (Juanita); three grandchildren: Elizabeth Wilkinson Halbrook (Justin), Otis Tyler Wilkinson (Jeannette) and Justin Wilkinson (Scarlett); three great-grandchildren: Summer Halbrook, Rory Halbrook and Ripp Wilkinson; two bonus great-grandchildren: Arabella Worley and Avaleigh Worley; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of caregivers at Alpine Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Heart of Hospice for their exceptional care. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston for their assistance during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Thalia’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 12:30-2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the funeral home.
