Gwen was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Dr. T. E. (T Boy) Wilson and Gwen Barksdale Wilson on January 29, 1935. She grew up in Jackson, Ms. in the Belhaven area. After graduating from Central High School, she attended Ole Miss where she was a freshman cheerleader and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Gwen married her high school sweetheart, William Frederick (Bill) Lynch, Jr., on June 11, 1954. They began their family in Jackson as Bill began his medical studies at the University Medical Center. Bill completed his residency in Radiology in Jackson, after which he and Gwen served in the Navy for ten years, crisscrossing the country with five children. They returned to Jackson in 1969 where Gwen enjoyed being a member of the Junior League, volunteering at the Old Capitol, and reconnecting with grammar school friends in a monthly luncheon club, which she enjoyed until her death. Gwen and Bill were members of the Madison United Methodist Church.
Gwen loved her husband, children, friends and her peaceful life in her patio home at St. Catherine’s Village, where she and Bill had retired. She was one of those strong Southern women whose love for her husband meant leaving family and friends, and raising children alone while Bill served in the Navy in Vietnam. “Baby Gwen” was known as a thoughtful, gentle, and wise lady to all who encountered her. She certainly exhibited that “quiet waters run deep” and was genuinely interested in the lives of others. She was always there to listen to “your story” and enjoyed hearing the details of the lives of her growing family. After Bill’s death, she became quite “tech-savy” staying connected with her family with the help of her I-phone. Gwen treasured that she could finish out her days in a home which overlooked the pond and pine trees that her father had planted when the land was their family farm.
Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Bill, and her son Bill, III.
Gwen is survived by her four children, Mary Frances Lynch Turner (Rick) of Jackson, James Wilson Lynch of New Orleans, John Edgar Lynch (Helen) of Brookhaven, Thomas Howie Lynch of Baton Rouge, LA; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Lynch Barth of Ridgeland, MS; her two sisters-in-law, Frances Lynch Van Zant and Esther Coker Wilson, both of Jackson, MS; her aunt, Jean Barksdale Holmes, of Ridgeland, MS; ten grandchildren, Rachel Turner Wilkins (Lloyd) of Colorado Springs, CO, William Frederick Lynch, IV, (Melody) of Palestine, TX, Ryan Walker Lynch (Tabitha) of Meridian, MS, Grady Wilson Lynch (Rachael) of Ridgeland, MS, Amanda Lynch Williams (Alan) of San Antonio, TX, Mary Gwen Lynch Sagen (Scott) of Nashville, TN, John Edgar Lynch, Jr. of Nashville, TN, Betsy Lynch Hood (Stewart) of Jackson, MS, William Cole Lynch of Jackson, MS, Taylor Lynch Mitchell (Cole) of Madison, MS; fourteen great-grandchildren and three on the way.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Beau Lynch, Ryan Lynch, Grady Lynch, John Lynch, and Cole Lynch.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to The 1848 Society – University of MS Medical Center in remembrance of William Frederick Lynch, III or the charity of your choice.
