On Sunday, February 13, 2022, Alethia Raye Bennett Wilkins was called home to be with the Lord and her family. She was the only daughter of Laurine Alethia Bennett-Moore and Dennis R. Bennett. A native of Charlottesville, VA, she was educated in private and public schools and graduated from Charlottesville High School in 1989. 

Alethia was baptized at an early age at Mount Zion African Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA., and was active in the Youth Choir, Youth Usher Board, and Vacation Bible School. After relocating to Maryland, Alethia joined the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. 

Alethia received her B.S. in Education from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA in 1993. Alethia continued her education and relocated to Maryland to attend Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD where she received her Master's in Education. Following in her mother and grandmother's footsteps, Alethia became an educator and mentor in the Washington Metropolitan area. 

She started her teaching career in the District of Columbia Public Schools in the mid 1990’s and taught at Paul Junior High School and Edison Charter School. She then transitioned to Prince George’s County Public Schools and taught at Walker Mill Middle School.

Alethia met Kevin Wilkins in October 1998 during a night out on the town in Washington, DC. They fell in love and married in May 2001. From that union, a beloved son, Alexander, was born.

Alethia’s second family was at Suitland High School in Suitland, MD where she spent the majority of her career. Most recently, Alethia taught English and served as Director of Student Services and Backup Scheduler. She was affectionately known by faculty and staff as Wilk, MaWilk, and Wilkie. You could always find her making the morning announcements, attending football and basketball games, calling names at graduation, sponsoring the Student Government Association, coordinating yearbook activities, assisting with testing, and countless other activities. Her energy for her students was endless. In fact, many of Alethia’s former students honored her legacy by also becoming educators. 

Alethia fiercely loved her family, friends, and students. Her relationships were rich. She truly made everyone feel that they mattered by offering a listening ear, words of encouragement, assistance with navigating the college admissions process, and doing so many random acts of kindness seen and unseen. In her spare time, Alethia was an avid reader, loved to create great memories with her family and friends, and lived life to the fullest. 

Alethia was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Laurine and Preston L. Moore, Sr. and her grandparents, Willard and Laura Reaves Robinson. Left to cherish her memory is her father Dennis Bennett, Baltimore, MD; devoted husband Kevin Wilkins, Upper Marlboro, MD; her beloved son, Alexander, Upper Marlboro, MD; her loving daughter and husband, Tiara and Joshua Grotte, Glenn Dale, MD; her beautiful granddaughter, Haley Parker-Marie, Glenn Dale, MD; and extended family, but especially close to her were Tonya Spratley, Bowie, MD; Jamese Shearin, Upper Marlboro; Kim (Sherman) Thompson, Charlottesville, VA, and Madelyn Cressman, Richmond, VA. 

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date.

https://www.jbjenkinsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Alethia-Raye-Wilkins?obId=24155869