Jackie, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, was born on March 29, 1933, in Savannah. She was the first of five children born to William Mosley Grigsby, Sr., and Eileen Guerard Grigsby. After her family relocated to Atlanta, she went to Spring Street Elementary, Washington Seminary, and graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1951. She attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Jackie and Lee Goldsmith Wilkie, Jr., married and began their family in 1954 having five children. Their life together led them to Atlanta, Montgomery, and Charlotte before they returned to Atlanta in 1970. Jackie lovingly cared for her family as a homemaker and later explored a career in real estate. Not surprisingly, Jackie’s commitment to “always do the right thing” sometimes conflicted with the realities of the properties she represented, ultimately prompting her to leave the field.
Jackie cherished her role as a loving and nurturing mother and grandmother, actively engaging in the lives of her children and eight grandchildren. From warm hugs and helpful childcare to shared laughter and wise guidance, she was a constant presence in their lives. Her grandchildren especially treasured their sleepovers, complete with chocolate chip cookies and whimsical stories of fairies and gnomes.
Jackie was predeceased by her parents; her daughter, Baby Sister; her sister, Jane Grigsby Herndon; her brother, John Martin Grigsby (Dot); and her great-grandson, Russell Henry Altamura. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lee (Buddy) Goldsmith Wilkie, Jr.; her children, Lee G. Wilkie, III (Trixie), Lynn Wilkie Ferrell, Kay Wilkie Darby, and William Grigsby Wilkie (Lisa); her grandchildren, Ryan Wilkie (Erica), Zach Wilkie (Danielle), Kacie Darby Cox (Logan), Bess Darby Altamura (Mike), Bailey Wilkie Thomas (Kyle), Sam Darby, Ella Wilkie, and Grigsby Wilkie; her great-grandchildren, Lucie Swain, Holden Swain, Brooks Wilkie, Collins Wilkie, Margo Wilkie, Peter Altamura, Harper Cox, Claire Wilkie and Lennon Wilkie, Miller Thomas, John Wilkie, and Austin Altamura; her siblings, William Mosley Grigsby, Jr. (Mary Virginia) and Charles Fleming Grigsby, Sr. (Paula); and 12 nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the family at Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road NE in Sandy Springs, will be Monday, February 24, at 12:30 pm, followed by a service officiated by Pastor Mike Deese of Crosspointe Community Church, 1:30 -2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a favorite charity or ministry.
