Jean was born in Harnett County as the second of Fred and Opal Barnes’ three children. She graduated from Dunn High School in 1949. She received a diploma from Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh in 1959 and was a long-time employee of Godwin Building Supply. She married Jesse Wilson in 1967, and they welcomed son, Van, into the world in 1969. Jean was a lifelong member of Long Branch Pentecostal Free Will Baptist church, where she made many friends and supplied many casseroles. She will be missed for her generous spirit and her unrivaled pecan pie.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Wilson, and by her sister, Maurice Godwin. She leaves behind her brother, Frederick Barnes, her son Van Wilson and his wife, Robin, as well as grandchildren Ben and Jessie Wilson, whom she adored.
The family will visit from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home, prior to a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
