Jean Y. Wilkins

Jean Constance Young Wilkins, 96, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Summit Square Retirement Community in Waynesboro, Virginia. She was the widow of the late Rodney Franklin Wilkins, Jr.

She was born on July 31, 1929, in Staunton, Virginia to the late Lacy Inigo Young and Lula Ruth Grove Young.

Jean graduated in the last graduating class from Fishersville High School and received her BS in Business Education from Madison College (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She taught at Culpeper County High School, Augusta County Schools, Staunton City Schools, and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville. Jean valued lifelong learning and carried her passion for teaching into every aspect of her life.

She was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Fishersville serving both at the local level as well as in Conference and Synodical positions. Jean was active in various organizations giving her time primarily to youth in earlier years and later to historical organizations including Augusta County Historical Society, Augusta County Genealogical Society and Daughters of the American Revolution. As a volunteer in a number of places over the years, she expressed her belief that one should give back to one’s church and community. Additionally, Jean enjoyed gardening.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Young Wilkins Wagstaff and her husband, Melvin D. Wagstaff, Jr. of Slidell, Louisiana, and her son, Rodney Franklin Wilkins III (Buddy) and his wife, Melissa Sowers Wilkins of Mt. Sidney, Virginia. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Drew Wagstaff and his wife, Anne Wilson Wagstaff of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Rodney Wagstaff and his wife, Allison Ball Wagstaff of Frederick, Maryland, John Wilkins of Soldotna, Alaska, Chad Wilkins and his wife, Maggie Shreckhise Wilkins of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kaitlin Wilkins Fulk and her husband Brandon Fulk of Mt. Sidney, Virginia, and Trey Wilkins and his wife, Kim Hopkins Wilkins of Forest, Virginia. She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Samuel and Madeline Wagstaff, Vivian, Juliana, and Miles Wilkins, Ainsley, Jase, and Colson Fulk, and Ella, Ryder, and Jaxon Wilkins. Her only sibling, Suzanne Young Whitaker of Charlottesville, Virginia, survives; along with two nephews, Thomas (Ty) Whitaker and Todd Whitaker and their wives; as well as four great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. James Lutheran Church in Fishersville, Virginia with the Reverend Gordon Putnam officiating and Samuel Diehl providing special music. A visitation and reception will follow in the church hall.

Interment in the church cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jean’s memory may be made to St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund (320 St. James Road, Fishersville, Virginia 22939), Love INC (2296 Jefferson Highway, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980), or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the dedicated staff and residents of Summit Square Retirement Community for enriching our mother’s life with their unwavering support and friendship.