Jennifer Brooke Wingate

Jennifer Brooke Wingate, 34, of Columbia, SC, was tragically taken from us in a horrific car accident on January 12, 2024. Jen was born February 1, 1989 in Gainesville, FL to Owen and Judy Wingate. She received a BA in Music from Newberry College in 2011.

She followed in her father’s footsteps in church music, starting at Edgefield United Methodist Church and then later at Grace Presbyterian in Gainesville, FL. She was Band Director at Trenton Middle/High School and received Teacher of the Year from Gilchrist County in 2017, in her first year teaching. In 2021 she moved back to SC and started as the Saluda Middle School band director. At the time of her death, she was serving as the High School Band Director and Girls Soccer Coach. She combined her many talents, with hard work and huge heart into an education career that touched many.

To know Jen was to love her. She exuded joy in everything, and her kindness seemed to have no limits. Along with her quick wit, beautiful voice, tenacity, and caring spirit, there was something inexplicable about Jen that drew people near her. The world was a better place because of Jen, and although her time was abbreviated, her legacy will remain. Always.

She is survived by her mother, Judy; sister and brother-in-law, Lauren & Blake Owens, & Hannah Brummett; aunt, Anne Marie Maige; aunt, Kirby & uncle, Norman McCloud; uncle, Fred & aunt, Cindy Wingate; special friends, Hannah Thacker, Betsy Smith, & Timothy Lawson, and many others.

She is predeceased by her all of her grandparents; her father, Owen Wingate; aunt, Dolores & uncle, Ernest Grace; uncle, Robert Maige; and aunt, Kimberly Wingate-Roberts.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Wiles Chapel, Newberry College, 2103 College St, Newberry, SC 29108. An additional service will be held in Jacksonville, FL at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up for students in need at Saluda High School to further their educational pursuits. Donations to Saluda High School may be made to 160 Ivory Key Rd. Saluda, SC 29138, (864)445-3011.