Fumie Watanabe Wilkienson

Fumie Watanabe Wilkienson, 81 of Gulfport, passed away August 30, 2021 at Singing River Hospital in Gulfport. She was born October 12, 1939 in Tokyo, Japan and grew up in the rural area outside the city. Fumie had a simple childhood and often told her children of how they would walk long distances for rice and other grocery items. She could also recall the treats her mother would giver them on the journeys. As a teenager, she met a young USAF airman named Doric Wilkienson, whom she wasn't really that keen on at first. But that changed quickly and they were married June 17, 1957. Fumie moved to the United States soon after and lived with Doric's parent's for a year, later moving to Alexandria, LA. During his more than 20 years in the USAF, they lived in many cities here in the US, Hawaii and even back to Japan for a tour. After his retirement, the family moved to Marrero, LA where they lived for some years, finally to Slidell with no plans to move again. Hurricane Katrina changed that by devastating their home and they eventually bought a place in Gulfport in 2010, where they have lived since. Fumie is lovingly remembered as a bit of a strict mother. In fact, her kids recall her as the disciplinarian in the family, always making them "toe the line"...all except for the baby girl that is, or so they say anyway. In her spare time, she made silk paintings and even worked for quite some time on a large geisha doll, which was really something when she finished it. Fumie enjoyed participating in Japanese-American social groups with others from her home country, going out to eat, playing games and just keeping in touch. She loved animals, was a loving and devoted wife and mother who always made sure her kids and family were taken care of. Her boys recall being made to wear suits and ties, even when they were small, with the girls in dresses, everywhere they went. Fumie was proud of her kids and wanted the best for them and her family. She will be forever loved and missed by all whose life she touched. She was preceded by her parents, and five siblings: Isumio, Tamie, Yashio, Masaghiget and Roudiko. Left to cherish the many fond memories are: her loving husband of the past sixty-four years, Doric; their children: daughters Robbie (Kerry) Wichterich and Naomi (Robert) Roussell, both of Slidell, and sons David (Denise) Wilkienson of Pearlington and Rickey (ex wife Jan) Wilkienson of Morganton, NC; with her remaining siblings, Yoshio Watanabe and Reiko Nakamura, both of Japan. Fumie leaves a legacy of eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grands, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends around the world. Her explicit final wishes were to be cremated and joined with her husband when the time comes, which the family is honoring. They will hold a celebration of her life at a later date. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Wiklienson family in their time of need. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers through this deep valley.