Crystal Dawn Collins Wilkinson

My name is Crystal Collins Wilkinson, and I died of Aids on September 29, 2021, at the age of 57.

I decided to write my own obituary instead of having my family try to do it. Nor did I want a bunch of sitting around and writing down all my accomplishments. The truth is I just tried to do my best at what I did. Sometimes I was successful and other times I failed, but I tried. I was a nurse for twenty-five years and loved taking care of people. I didn’t always say or do the right thing and at the end of your life, these are the things you regret. My life was not perfect, I got bruised and battered along the way. There are all several periods in my life that would erase but for the most part, I enjoyed life. Some periods were harder than others, but I gained knowledge from every bad patch, and I couldn’t do any better than that. Some people might think me writing my own obituary is morbid, but I get to say thank you to the people in my life. I was blessed beyond measure by knowing all of you.
Please don’t be sad for I have gone to a beautiful new home. Take care of each other, live, laugh, and love.

I send special blessings to my husband Brian; my mother, Jo Ellen McDaniel; brother, Shannon McDaniel; and my son, Zachary Downs. Please watch over my grandbabies, Dakoda, Mariah, and Karliegh. May they grow up strong and goodhearted. A special thank you to all of my aunts and uncles who raised me and all my cousins for the childhood memories.

A celebration of my life will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. My family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Pastor Bennett Dixon AKA Padre will be officiating.