EARLENE R. (WEST) KILGORE

Oct. 26, 1934 - Nov. 17, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Mrs. Earlene Roxanna West-Kilgore, dear mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, passed from this life at 1:40 a.m. Monday, November 17 in Memorial Hospital at the age of 74. She had resided on Meade St. in South Bend. Earlene was born to the union of Silas and Annie (Jones) West, in Indianola, MS, on October 26, 1934.

As a child, she moved with her family to South Bend in 1944, coming from Leland, MS. Earlene graduated from South Bend Washington High School where she participated in band and track.

She and Jerry Kilgore were united in marriage on February 14, 1970. He preceded her in death in 2005.

Mrs. Kilgore had been employed as a para-professional by South Bend Community School Corporation retiring in May of this year. For 23 years she was employed by Planned Parenthood and later Visiting Nurses Association of Memorial Hospital. As a faithful and loyal member of Bethlehem Baptist church, she served as president of the mothers and deaconess board; assistant secretary of Sunday school; member of the choir; pastor's aide and the missionary society.

Beloved family members who survivie to mourn her lost include five daughters, Deborah J. Williams of Indinapolis, In, Regina A. (Robert) Nance of Tallahassee, FL, Carolyn Patterson, Kimberly K. Kilgore and Tina L. (Darrin) Taylor of South Bend; three sons, Millard J. Williams of Inglewood, CA, Glen E. Williams of Jacksonville, FL, and Andrew L. Williams of South Bend; 23 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Maxine Heirimann of Kennesaw, Ga, Linda A. Green of Denver, CO, Lestene W. Pettus and Patricia West, both of South Bend; six brothers, Herman West of South Bend, Nolan Lee West of Marion, IN, Dan West of Chcicago, IL, Silas (Dovallao West Jr. of Austell, GA, Rev. Terry J. West of Milwaukee, WI and Kenneth (Andrea) West of chula Vista, CA; a special nephew, Pastor Anthony R. (Quila) Pettus Sr. Of Ft. Wayne, IN; god children, Schalisa and Terry Tate; and a special friend, Rev. Aaron Gathright, along with other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death along with her husband were her father, Silas West Sr.; her mother, Annie M. West (Harley P.) Vinson; a grandson, Joseph Brantley; and a brother, Clinton Ray West.

Funeral services for Mrs. Kilgore will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 22 in Bethlehem Baptist church where Rev. Keith Witherspoon is pastor. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may cal in the church one hour prior to the services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary. Messages of condolences may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Dale Deardorff and staff; Memorial Hospital 10 South; Kroger Pharmacy; Real Services and Joy Carpenter.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 21, 2008.

05/28/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/earlene-west-kilgore-obituary?id=14588813