Jean Wilder

Jean Pennington Wilder died at her home in Columbus, Mississippi, on May 28, 2024.  A visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Carolyn’s Room at the First Methodist Church on Friday, May 31, with graveside services to follow at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus.  Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and the Reverend Dr. Vaughn Stafford will officiate the service.

Mrs. Wilder was born May 25, 1941, to Audie and Lura  Pennington of Columbus, Mississippi, where she lived all her life. In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband James “Jimmy” Wilder and her sister Mary Ann Pennington.

Jean graduated from Stephen D.Lee High School and MSCW, now Mississippi University for Women.

She served her community as a life member of Columbus Junior Auxiliary, where she served as finance chairman and directed summer crafts for children at Propst Park. She also co-edited A Grand Heritage Cookbook, a significant fundraiser for Heritage Academy in Columbus. Jean was a Heart Fund volunteer, and a worker for the Kidney Foundation and the United Way.

A faithful member of the First Methodist Church of Columbus, she attended the Ivy Sunday school class and the UMC Circle #5.  Additionally, she served her church on the luncheon and decorations committees.

She was a charter member of the Northwood Garden Club where she served as president and recording secretary.  Jean and her late husband were also members of the Magowah Gun Club and the Krewe of Didelphidae.

She is survived by her daughter Jeana Wilder Brown and husband Bryan of Columbus;   her son James Pennington “Penn” Wilder and wife Saskia Grassel Wilder of Bentonville, Arkansas; and her adoring grandchildren Brennan Brown of Memphis, Tennessee; Emery Brown of Birmingham, Alabama; and Andrew and Chase Wilder of Bentonville, Arkansas.

She is also survived by a host of friends and relatives who loved her.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be sent to First Methodist Church of Columbus, P.O.Box 32, Columbus, Mississippi 39703.