SaraJo Owens Wilkes

Mrs. Sarajo Wilkes was promoted to heaven on Friday, January 19, 2024 at her care

facility, Benton Village of Stockbridge, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by

her parents Charlie Joe Owens and Mattie Lee Owens of Toccoa, GA. Her husband Joe

Thomas Wilkes (formerly of Mt. Pleasant, TN)/ Toccoa, GA.  She is survived by her

brother, Hubert (Buck) Owens (Lorna) nephews Justin  (Kristy) Amani, and Jacobi) and

Christopher Owens (Abilne,TX) daughter Kara Wilkes Devlin, Son in Law William

(Corey) Devlin and her grandson Bryce Devlin (McDonough) and bonus granddaughter

Acoreia Devlin and bonus great-granddaughter  Ava George  (Jacksonville, FL), bonus

daughter Ann Gaines and Son in Law Scott Gaines grandchildren Zachary Gaines

Robert Napier (Crystal)  great-grandchildren Ambryana, Markia, Aries, Rayna and 

Reasisa.  Her Sister in Love /Co-mother-In-Law Geraldine Simmons (Augusta) and

auntie in love to Cassandra Simmons and Lavonne Simmons. Also, the Pugh Family of

Augusta, GA, numerous cousins, numerous friends, former students, and church

members.

          Sarajo was born in Homer, GA, to a midwife in 1938. Her humble beginnings were a

shadow of who she became. She attended Whitman Street School and later received

her Master’s of Education from Wichita State University.  She went on to teach in

Wichita, Honolulu, Colorado Springs, CO, and in Great Britain before returning to the US

and retiring from Franklin County Middle School. 

          She received numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year 1991-1992 as well as

awards for her poetry. Her writings are in the archives at the Martin Luther King Center

in Atlanta, GA.

          While teaching, she established a Black History Month program for Franklin County

Middle School. She also orchestrated trips to Washington DC for the students. She

believed in education (learning) and exposure (seeing what is possible). 

          She spent the last several years caring for her beloved husband while they were in

memory care, and when he passed, she was a great friend to the residents in her facility

and was known for leading group activities. 

          As her memory faded, her joy shone through, always laughing and smiling and singing. 

She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.