OBITUARY
Imogene "Jean" Wilson
July 18, 1927 – January 4, 2021
Jean Bowlin Wilson entered heaven’s gate on January 4, 2021. She was born on July 18, 1927 to Claude Swanson Bowlin and Mary Good Bowlin at Hiltons Virginia.
She was a retired employee of Sullivan County Food Service and was known for her thousands of homemade pies. She was a faithful member of Salem United Methodist Church for over 60 years.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Everett (Pud) Wilson; her parents; brothers William Dale Bowlin and John Howard Bowlin; her aunt Phoebe Good.
She is survived by her children, Sandra (Robert) Jayne, Durham, NC, Gary (Janice) Wilson, Morristown, TN and Roger (Vickie) Wilson, Kingsport; sisters, Sue Johnson, Gray TN, Brenda (Joe) Horton, Hiltons, VA; brothers, James (Jim) Bowlin, Hiltons, VA and Ken (Melinda) Bowlin, Greeneville, TN; sister-in-law, Brenda Leonard Bowlin, Bristol, TN; grandchildren, Nikki Hensley, Brandon Jayne, Brent Jayne, Trevor (Sara) Wilson and Allison (John) Suits; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Hensley, Lacey Jayne, Molly Jayne, June Suits, Samuel Suits and Asher Suits; several nieces and nephews; special friend of 60 years, Mayme Pecktol; and a host of friends.
The family would like to thank Elmcroft of Kingsport and Baysmont House for their special care of their Mom.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Rev. Jeff Tallent and Pastor Will Shewey officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Salem United Methodist Church Building Fund would please Jean.
Jean will be laid to rest with her husband at East Lawn Memorial Park on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 3:00pm in the Garden of Everlasting Life I.
Grandsons and nephews will serve as pall bearers.
FAMILY
- Sandra Jayne (Robert), Daughter
- Gary Wilson (Janice), Son
- Roger Wilson (Vickie), Son
- Sue Johnson, Sister
- Brenda Horton (Joe), Sister
- James Bowlin (Jim), Brother
- Ken Bowlin (Melinda), Brother
- Brend Leonard Bowlin, Sister-in-law
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Grandchildren: Nikki Hensley, Brandon Jayne, Brent Jayne, Trevor (Sarah) Wilson, and Allison (John) Suits
Great-grandchildren: Kelsey Hensley, Lacey Jayne, Molly Jayne, June Suits, Samuel Suits, and Asher Suits
Several nieces and nephews
Special Friend of 60 years, Mayme Pecktol and a host of friends
Services
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Visitation
Friday, January 8, 2021
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Funeral Service
Friday, January 8, 2021
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Laid To Rest
Friday, January 8, 2021
Memories
Imogene "Jean" Wilson
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYStacy Burke
January 10, 2021
To Jean’s family
I just heard that Jean passed away. I was the beautician at Elmcroft until COVID hit. I so enjoyed Jean and her weekly hair visits. Every week I enjoyed our talks. I so hate that I never got to say goodbye that day I left when the pandemic hit. She was a blessing to me and so enjoyed having her hair done. I am sending prayers to all of you
Stacy Burke
DEBBIE WILSON
January 8, 2021
I love all the pictures you have included here. Jean was such a special lady and she had such a big heart full of love. I will miss her sweet smile and big hugs. May she rest in peace. She left a wonderful legacy and raised a wonderful family. You all are blessed to have all the wonderful memories of such a godly mother. May she rest in peace and watch over us all. I loved her very much.
Linda Grove Price
January 8, 2021
I loved Jean. I really enjoyed my visits to her at Elmcroft. She and Elsie were so sweet to take a meal to our Mom and Dad through Mom's Cancer fight and later to Mom after Dad had gone to Heaven. I also remember going to Beech Grove Church with my Granddaddy Ray Grove when I was a little girl and what a time of praising the Lord there always was. The Bowlin Family had the purest harmony I have ever heard and I was amazed at Shape Note singing. Sue and I lost our Mom and Dad 16 and 17 years ago. I know they are rejoicing with her in Heaven now! Sandra, Gary, and Roger and all other relatives and friends have my sympathy.
Rick and Kaye Malone
January 8, 2021
We were so sorry to learn of Jean’s passing. She was a dear and sweet lady. She was also the best friend my Mom ever had outside of family. Mom used to look forward to her calls everyday at 4 pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of her family members. Your were blessed to have her, Rick & Kaye Malone
Denise Shivley-Neal
January 8, 2021
Jean was a sweet lady. She was cafeteria manager at Central Heights Elementary in the '70s. I remember her, Pearl Salyers, Libby Wilson, Mayme Pecktol & Hildred Taylor. My mom Sallie Shivley had the pleasure of working with these ladies. That's when the food was made from scratch.
Jean will be missed by alot of people. Prayers for the family.
Pam Kirthlin
January 7, 2021
Thinking of the family at this time. OES
Winston and Ruby Peters
January 7, 2021
Our prayers and condolences for the entire family.....
Ruth Murray
January 6, 2021
Jean was a special lady. She really enjoyed being at Elmcroft. She would always tell me: Do things you want to now, don't put them off. You never know what tomorrow will bring. She liked to talk about my Mother, and memories of the past.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories you have of your Mother. She was a blessing.
Ruth & Vince Murray
Dee Gonce
January 5, 2021
Don & Dee Gonce
Jean was a special person. She was a friend to my mom and my aunt. They all worked for Sullivan County Food Service. They were friends many years. I got to know Jean going with mom to their food service meetings. She would always call me to check on mom and my aunt. We became good friends and I enjoyed visiting her at Elm Croft. I am just sorry she couldn’t see her family these last horrible months. She is at rest and peace now. My sympathy goes out to Gary Sandra and Roger. Love you all.
Mary Dalton
January 5, 2021
Jean was the cafeteria supervisor at Central Heights when I worked there as a speech therapist! One year I worked in her cafeteria as my classroom! She always was so kind to me ( often sneaking me a hot roll right out of the oven!). We had many long talks!
My brother, Buddy, often talked about Jean and how she made sure he got plenty to eat at lunch! She was like that to everyone! Jean, you’ll never be forgotten by me!
May God wrap His loving around you and give you His comfort !! It’s so hard to lose your mom!
I love each one of you!!
Mary Dalton
Mary Kaylor
January 5, 2021
My memories of Jean are just too many to pick out just one. She was such a caring person and was like a second mother to us children when we were growing up. When they lived on the Ned King farm and we lived across the creek, we loved to go over to their house. I know we got on her nerves but not once did she speak ill to us or ask us to go home. Mom & Dad loved her and Pud too. I don't think they ever did figure out just what kin they were. Mom would always say "we are double, triple, thriple cousins".
The morning that I found Earl had passed away in the night, the telephone rang and it was Jean. She said she had me on her mind and felt she had to call and see if were OK. She just knew something was wrong.
God has another beautiful Angel singing in his choir now. Rest in Peace, sweet Jean.