"My heart is steadfast, O God, I will sing and make music with my soul" Psalms 108:1

Mrs. Mattie Louise Lee Wilkerson,101, formerly of Petersburg, Virginia departed this life on August 10, 2025 at the Alaris Health Center, West Orange, New Jersey. She was born January 6, 1924,  the daughter of the late John and Rosa E. Lee. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wilkerson; her siblings: Virginia Lee Brown, John S. Lee, Margaret Lee Valentine, and Rosa Lee Lester.

She attended elementary school in Petersburg and was a graduate of D. Webster Davis High School formerly in Ettrick, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia State College (University), and a Master of Music/Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City. She studied Organ Technique at Virginia Commonwealth University under the renowned organist, Dr. Ardyth Lohuis. Her early piano training was accomplished with the late teacher/composer, Dr. Undine Smith Moore.

Her teaching career began in the elementary schools of Norfolk, Virginia and concluded with retirement from Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. She has been a blessing to many youth and adults in the community providing private piano and organ lessons. In 2015, the Oak Street A.M.E. Zion Church Chancellor Choir was renamed the "Mattie L. Wilkerson Memorial Choir".

Upon returning to Petersburg, she assumed the position held by her mother for many years as Organist/Choirmaster at Oak Street A.M.E. Zion Church. She gave numerous recitals and accompanied many choirs in Petersburg, Richmond, Charles City, West Point, and Williamsburg, Virginia and also assisted in teaching, directing and accompanying the Virginia Conference Choir of the A.M.E. Zion Church. On the third Tuesday of each month she gathered a group of ladies to accompany her to the Battlefield Park Nursing Home to lead the residents in songs, games, poetry reading and exercise.

She was a former member of the Virginia Retired Teachers Association and the American Guild of organist, Southside Virginia Chapter and the Junior Civic League.

She leaves to cherish her memories: James Wilkerson, Esq. (Marsha); grandson, Rashard; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, including a very special friend, Martha Lee and her Oak Street A.M.E. Zion Church Family.

As a humble servant, Mattie understood Gods' purpose in life and aimed to fulfill His mission through her service to Him with the beautiful music she provided.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Oak Street A.M.E Zion Church, 25 West Wythe Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Reginald M. Jones, Pastor and Rev. Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin, officiant.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.