JOANN WILKING
JoAnn Wilking, beloved daughter, cousin, friend, and teacher, passed away on September 11, 2022, at Hampshire Memorial Hospital. She was born on May 14, 1949, to Joseph Daniel Wilking and Louine Spinger Wilking. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Joseph Daniel Wilking Jr., her stepmother Helen Moore Wilking, and her cousin Donna Lou Moskey.
During her summers, JoAnn found joy and purpose working as a lifeguard at Petersburg Boat Landing on Leesville Lake. Her dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of others were evident in her service to her uncle Tom and aunt Libby Wilking. The memories of those idyllic summers spent by the lake will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved JoAnn.
JoAnn is survived by her cherished cousins Diana Bodo, Debbie Patton, Bryan Wilking, Bart Wilking, Dan Wilking, and Barry McElroy. She also leaves behind her dear friends Karen Hiser and Susan Vetter, who were always by her side through thick and thin.
Throughout her career, JoAnn made a significant impact on the lives of countless students as a Biology teacher at Moorefield High School. When the middle school was built, she transitioned there and continued her passion for teaching 8th-grade science until her well-deserved retirement. Her dedication to education and her ability to inspire young minds will be remembered by her students and colleagues alike.
Beyond her professional endeavors, JoAnn was an active member of the Moorefield Chapter 102 of the Eastern Star, where she held the esteemed position of Worthy Matron. Her involvement in the community and her commitment to service will be greatly missed by her fellow Eastern Star members.
In her leisure time, JoAnn found solace in the pages of books and took great pleasure in caring for her beloved animals. Her love for reading and her compassion for animals were essential parts of her identity, bringing her immeasurable joy.
JoAnn was a proud graduate of West Virginia University, where she nurtured her intellectual curiosity and developed lifelong friendships. To honor her wishes, JoAnn’s remains were cremated. Her ashes were interred at Chapel Hill Cemetery in West Virginia, where she rests beside her brother Joey. Additionally, a portion of her ashes were scattered at Leesville Lake, symbolizing the cherished memories of her summers spent there. Another portion was scattered at West Virginia University, forever connecting her with the alma mater she held dear.
JoAnn Wilking will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her unwavering dedication to her loved ones, her students, and her community will forever inspire those whose lives she touched. May her kind and gentle spirit find eternal peace.
Dodds Funeral Home of Carrollton assisted the family with local arrangements.