Napoleon Good Wilkes, Sr. was born September 29, 1924 in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the youngest of seven children born to Plummer and Janie Wilkes.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Johnny Robert Wilkes and Marshall Wilkes both formerly of the city, Lillian Yarborough formerly of New York, NY, Daisy Wilkes formerly of Stamford, CT, and Herbert Wilkes formerly of Statesville, NC; and his son, Napoleon Wilkes, Jr. formerly of the city.

Napoleon was married to his beloved wife, Gertrude Wilkes for 71 years. They were blessed with five children, Shirley Royster of Duluth, GA and Veronica (Albert "Tball") Conner of the city; and two step-children, Melvin Witherspoon of Waxhaw, NC and Johnnie Ray Witherspoon of Lancaster, SC.

Napoleon attended Atkins High School and after school he served honorably in the US Army during World War II from 1943-1946. He received four medals: American Theatre Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Napoleon worked for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company for 36 years in the case and cutting department at factory #12 and later retired from Whitaker Park.

He was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. He loved to hear his pastor sing and was a member of the Gold Star Club. His church was very dear to his heart. Activities he enjoyed were fishing and hunting rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons. He loved his German Shepard dogs, watching old western cowboy movies, and the Atlanta Braves. He also loved entertaining his family and friends on his back patio.

Following a period of illness, Napoleon transitioned on October 29, 2015.

In addition to his wife and children he leaves to cherish fond memories his 15 grandchildren, Wendy Witherspoon of Charlotte, NC, Devanda Witherspoon of Waxhaw, NC, Valerie (Venny) Gaglio of Charlotte, NC, Gwen (Norman) Hudson of Lancaster, SC, April Witherspoon of Rock Hill, NC, Willie (Keisha) Witherspoon of Hampton, VA, Deborah Williams of Marietta, GA, Marlon and Lamont Wilkes of Atlanta, GA, Penny Holland of Duluth, GA, William Holland of the city, Keith Wilkes of Charlotte, NC, Cosmo Wilkes of Atlanta, GA, and Albert Conner, Jr. and Lamar Conner of the city; 9 great-grandchildren, Edwin and Gabrielle Holland of the city, Desiree and Deon Holland of Duluth, GA, Imani McClure of New York, NY, Christian, Tiera, and Briana Williams of Marietta, GA, and William Witherspoon of Columbia, OH; his brother, Andrew Wilkes of the city; daughter-in-law, Sandra Wilkes of the city; special niece, Patricia Shepard of the city; special cousin, Ethelyne Wilkes of Washington, DC; brother and sister-in-law, Willie Thomas and Lena Witherspoon; cousins, Mae Bess Tate and family of Clover, SC and Eleanor Tyndall and family of the city; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with Bishop Sherwood Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Wednesday at the Church.