Emogene “Jean” Jones Wamsley was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother during her incredible 88 years of life. On July 5, 2023 she peacefully passed away at her home in Outer Banks NC with her devoted husband of 71 years at her side. Jean followed her heart when she married Howard Ernest Wamsley, Jr shortly before graduating from high school. Together they raised four children in a supportive and loving home in Colonial Heights Virginia.
Jean dedicated her life to her family and her friends. She was creative and talented and showed her love for her family through her sewing and cooking skills. Her daughters were proud of their “one of a kind” outfits sewn by their mother worn throughout their school years. Jean created a home where the back door was always open for friends to drop in for a cup of coffee at the kitchen table and a big backyard filled with the neighborhood children playing games and riding bikes. She was the mother always supporting her children’s school activities and yelling the loudest at her son’s wrestling matches. Jean was the grandmother who made her grandkids laugh and filled their bellies with pancakes topped with confectionary sugar and whipped cream. Whether it was water skiing at “the river”, running races with the Tri-Cities Road Runners, backpacking through Europe or sitting around the table playing Bridge, Rook or Dominoes with friends and family, Jean and Howard loved every moment of their life together. Jean’s Christian faith was very important to her. She was so grateful for the love and support shared by her church home of Colington United Methodist Church in Kill Devil Hills NC.
Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Morgan Henry; and son, Howard “Bubba” Wamsley. She is survived by her husband, Howard; her children, Christie Wamsley, William Wamsley (Joanne), and Rebecca Wamsley Blalock (Allen); daughter in law, Jan Wamsley; grandchildren, Jamie Lynn West, Morgan, Haley and William Wamsley and Troy, Dylan and Noah Blalock; sister, Merle Mitchell; and many more loved ones.
A funeral service will be held at Colington United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 2 pm. The graveside service will be held at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, VA, on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 1pm.
The family requests that donations in Jean’s honor be made to either Colington United Methodist Church, PO 3425 Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 or StJude.org. Please share condolences with the family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.