Darrell And Laveta (Luehring ) Wilkins

LaVeta was born on Christmas Eve December 24, 1951, to Ernest and Virginia (Morford) Luehring in Lebanon, Oregon. At the age of 5, she met the love of her life, Darrell Wilkins who was born on January 2, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Jerry and Nedra Wilkins. Their families attended Jefferson Church of God, and bringing them together was all in God’s plan, but their family would joke that Darrell would pursue LaVeta until she would marry him. LaVeta would go to school at Lebanon Union High School, while Darrell lived in Salem and would graduate from South Salem High School. They married on July 2, 1971, in Lebanon with the reception to follow at Jefferson Church of God. They were blessed with 3 children; Jeremy, Carmen and Nicole. LaVeta was a wonderful homemaker. Darrell was a jack of all trades who loved logging and was committed to his family by working 27 years at Boise Cascade producing paper. For over 40 years they would make their home on the North Fork in Lyons, Oregon. Darrell was such a committed and moral man, that at the age of 20, an old homesteader performed a “handshake deal” for the purchase of their cedar home. Both were wonderful parents and grandparents, who loved family first and foremost. LaVeta enjoyed making quilts and made around 50 wall hanging Christmas quilts with lights in the shape of Christmas trees for family and friends. LaVeta regularly enjoyed canning peaches, pears, applesauce and carrots. She took pride in cooking for the family and beating the family in card and dice games. She loved taking long drives and traveling with Darrell. One of her favorite places to visit was the ocean; it gave her peace and she loved a good storm. Darrell enjoyed mechanics, woodwork, acoustic guitar, hiking, backwoods camping, fishing, and more activities. He most likely would say his best days were spent outdoors. He had artistic skills and could draw the outdoors graphically with great skill. He was a very humble man and you would never know how competitive he was with racing motorcycles or performing a wheelie across the finish line. Darrell had many interests and enjoyed keeping himself busy. He never said no to a family member or friend. He would always be there at any time or need. Together, both LaVeta and Darrell were blessed with a rich sense of family, friendship and had deep spiritual faith. On January 22, 2022, Darrell passed away and LaVeta followed him to heaven on January 28, 2022. Their love was too strong to leave one another behind. They were preceded in death by their parents; Darrell's step sister, Sharon Watkins; LaVeta’s siblings, Harvey Luehring, Steven Luehring, and Anneta Williamson. They are survived by their children, Jeremy D. Wilkins, Carmen L. Anglin, Nicole E. Neet; grandchildren, Rogue Wilkins, Maverick Wilkins, Ronin Wilkins, Calista Anglin, Cassidy Anglin, Tristin Wilkins, Destiny Waterworth, Jade Waterworth, Jeremya Waterworth, Zacharya Waterworth; Darrell's siblings, Richard Watkins, Shirley Doolittle, Donna Adelman, Dale Watkins; LaVeta’s siblings, Patricia “Pat” McAndrew, Geraldine “Gerri” Linch, David Luehring, Wanda Gibson (John), Karen Dickson, Mike Luehring (Cindy), Loretta Luehring Wallace (Richard). If you are unable to make it to the service, his service will be live-streamed. You can watch it by clinking on this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/darrell-and-laveta-wilkins Following the service it also be available to watch at the same link