WILKINSON, Ala Jane (Ala Plumb)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, April 12, 2003 Ala J. Wilkinson, well known to many of the old timers as "Ala Plumb", Ala was always a survivor and a "Casa Grandian". Ala was active in numerous local groups and organizations, including The Casa Grande Women's Club, President of the Junior Women's Club of Casa Grande in 1939, Cotton Wives Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha National Educational Sorority and the Oasis Garden Club of Casa Grande. Born Ala Jane Pottebaum, the eldest of five children, to Robert Pottebaum and Grace Trotter Pottebaum of Hope, Indiana she moved to Casa Grande with her family in 1920 seeking climatic relief for Grace Pottebaum's debilitating asthma, accompanied by Mrs. Pottebaum's sister Laura and her husband Charlie Davis. After short periods away from Casa Grande at the farm or school and with spouses during the 1920's and early 1930's, Ala always returned "home to Casa Grande". Ala's last return in 1935 was with her husband of many years, W.E. "Ed" Plumb to the "old stone house on 1st street" built by her father, Robert Pottebaum. No stranger to tragedy, Ala has survived as "matriarch" and caregiver to nearly three generations of Pottebaums, most of whom have both lived and died at the family home she and Ed Plumb built on Florence Blvd in 1950. Ala's landmark home (and life estate) on Florence Blvd. will be maintained by Jerry and Janet Warren and used in conjunction with the new Cole & Maud chapel and funeral home under construction adjacent to it. The Warren's and Ala's family, along with some prominent long time residents of Casa Grande, are currently seeking historical registry designation of Ala's residence as the "Pottebaum - Plumb Home" by the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society. Preceded in death husbands, Robert "Bob" Wilkinson, W.E. "Ed" Plumb, Dewey "Doc" Bruner; son, Reed Plumb; sisters, Della Pottebaum Hanna and Laura Beryl Pottebaum Beers; brothers, Herman and Sherman Pottebaum; and nephew, Lorence Pottebaum. Survivors include daughter, Lorna Lee Plumb Orsburne of Paradise Valley, AZ; niece, Billie Beers Marzullo of Chicago, Illinois and nephews, Harold Pottebaum of Long Beach, CA, Ronald Pottebaum of Mission Viego CA, and Kelly Williams of Barstow, CA. The family would appreciate any stories or photos. Please send to: P.O. Box 1113, Casa Grande, AZ 85230. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: RTA Hospice or the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society. Visitation: Saturday, 4/12 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Cole & Maud Casa Grande Chapel. Services: Sunday, 4/13 at 10:30 am at Cole & Maud Casa Grande Chapel. Burial at Casa Grande Mountain View Cemetery immediately following services. Followed by Gathering: The Property 1251 W. Gila Bend Hwy at 12:30pm, Sunday. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.