Gwynn Ann Wilkins
December 9, 1950 ~ July 23, 2012
Gwynn Ann “Herbie” Wilkins, 61, longtime Neil Armstrong Kindergarten Teacher, died peacefully at home on July 23, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Gwynn was born December 9, 1950, in Martinsville, to the late Harold Eugene and Edith May (Cooper) Swinney.
Gwynn graduated from Mooresville High School in 1969 and from Ball State University in 1973. She later earned a Master’s Degree from DePauw University. Gwynn’s first teaching job was at Hall Elementary School, west of Monrovia. She served as a substitute teacher when her children were young. In 1981 when each of the elementary schools in Mooresville opened kindergarten classrooms, Gwynn began at Neil Armstrong. She retired in 2012, due to illness. She said she loved her career, her fellow teachers, the children, and the families with whom she worked. She said, “I never felt like I was going to work.”
Gwynn was a member of West Newton Friends Meeting, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and Casting for Recovery. She loved nature and being outdoors.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dale Swinney and her twin sister, Lynn Alice Chambers.
Survivors include her husband and high school sweetheart, James “Hairy” Wilkins, to whom she was united in marriage July 20, 1973; children, Craig Wilkins (Cherie) of Martinsville, Kori Valbert (Wesley) of Martinsville, and C. Morgan Wilkins (Stephanie) of Martinsville; sisters, Brenda McWhirter of Mooresville and Barbara K. Foust of Elwood; grandchildren, Harlie Sue Wilkins, Wade Valbert, Emmy Valbert, Millicent Wilkins.
The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, 1000 State Road 144, Mooresville, with calling there from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 27, 2012. Cremation will follow the service at the Morgan County Crematory, Mooresville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Scholarship Fund, in memory of Gwynn Wilkins, c/o The Community Foundation of Morgan County, 250 N. Monroe St., Mooresville, IN 46158. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Mrs Wilkins, you have truly changed my wonderful life, manifestly the one that God has granted me. You were always there for everyone in their time of depression or need. I’ve known you for 7 years, it all started in kindergarten, you have always been my favorite teacher because you always cared, and one of the people I will always look up to. And you for all these wonderful years and in God’s name, may you rest in peace for eternity in heaven. Tanner Parnin
Tanner Philip Parnin sent a virtual gift in memory of Gwynn Ann Wilkins
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
We will miss you Stephen and Shawnda
We have so many great memories of time spent with Gwynn and the whole family…one that stands out the most is being able to go on a Spotlighter trip with her to Disney World. It was Gwynn’s first trip there and she loved it! Thanks for your friendship all the great memories Gwynn.
I always enjoyed the years of teaching with Gwynn when she was at Newby. Such a delightful person. I had the pleasure of teaching all three of the Wilkins children. Jesus has welcomed her home with open arms.
Craig and all family members, I am so sorry to hear of Gwynn,s death. She was a delightful and courageous lady. She was the kind of person that made you smile when you thought of her. My deepest condolences to the entire family and all of the many friends that will miss her. Shirley France
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking about you. Monica Coddington and Chris Wright
I didn’t know Mrs. Wilkins but, I grew up with Morgan in school and was a close friend of Stephanie’s in elementary as well. I always remember the Wilkins family being a part of the community and wishing my family was more like that 🙂 I know she touched a lot of people and raised a great family. My heart aches for the family but know God had a special place ready for her and he comforts better than anything in a time like this! Thoughts and prayers to the Wilkins family.
Thank you so much Herbie for being an inspiration to everyone that was in your life. Your smile was so contagious. My kids were not only blessed to have you as a teacher, but to also be a part of the family. We all love you and you will be truly missed. Our love and prayers go out to the family!! We love you!!!
Your were my kindergarten teacher and u said i was one of the most polietest students in your class. i miss you and always will. its hard to beleave your gone. but just wait your pain free and your in a bette place now. you will be tooken care of and treated great. i really miss you Mrs. Wilkins. 🙂 🙁 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Mrs. Wilkins was the first teacher my children had (one now in college and one in 6th grade.) She made school a fun and magical place for them both. Her ever present smile and contagious sense of adventure touched us all. You surely will be missed you irreplaceable lady! Jeff, Lisa, Jack & Sami Waters
Love shined from Mrs. Wilkins. She had a gift for teaching and she CARED. As an anxious kindergarten parent she made me feel like she loved my child as much as I did. We are so blessed for having known her and will miss her terribly. Jeanine Hoots
Sending thoughts of peace–XXOO–Mary Beth Kellum
My daughter had Mrs. Wilkins in kindergarten. We were new to the area and she made it easy for us to keep our daughter at Neil Armstrong until this last year when we moved to Martinsville. She is an awesome, loving, caring teacher and will be deeply missed but NEVER forgotten….. Wendy Singleton
One of my favorite memories was when Gwynn, Lynn, Brenda and cousin Carol and I went to Nashville, TN. We missed having Barb with us but knew she was home taking care of a sick husband. When we first got to Nashville we had to wait on another cousin Sharon and when she finally arrived we walked through the Opryland Conservatory before going to our motel. Upon arriving at the motel Gwynn and I decided to check the beds out to see which one was more comfortable so we started jumping up and down on the beds then chose the first one we jumped on. For supper one night we decided to go to a dinner club. A couple of the performers ask for some audience participation so of course we all elected Gwynn as one of the participants, they danced around tables and we all sat there and laughed, she was such a good sport about this. We had so much fun that weekend. Love you and miss you Gwynn. Sandy Smith
She was my kindergarten teacher, and 20 years later she was my daughter’s. She was also the mother of our friends Craig, Kori, and Morgan. She was always a part of my life somehow. When my daughter was in kindergarten, she came to visit us when my son was born. She brought my daughter a nursery rhyme book to read to her little brother! She also let me take my son in to her classroom so that my daughter could show him off!! She was a great teacher, and a wonderful person!
Mrs.Wilkins was a great teacher in the mooresville. Both of my girls had her in school. she will be missed deeply. Love and prayers are with the family.
Shirley (Greene ) Cox aka; Shirl Cox
Thoughts and prayers to you Jim and your famly. Gwynn will missed by so many. She was a special lady that always had a smile on her face.
my mom went through health problems when i was in elementary school gwynn went above and beyond her duties as a teacher to console me and help me through those times, she was one of those kind hearted people you just never meet anymore. I could go on and on about what a kind and wonderful woman she was but anyone who spent time with her already knows. I am so very sorry for the loss of such a beautiful, kind, and wonderful life.
you were the best kindergarten teacher. you made me happy and I smiled everytime I entered your classroom. you will be missed.an angel has been sent to heaven for the lord to take in his arms to watch over and love.you will be in my thoughts and prayers.one day we will meet agan.love always mariah justus-7 yrs old
Mrs. Wilkins was my teacher in 03-04, and I can say she was the best teacher I ever had! She let me hold the butterfly and take it outside to be released. I got to take Thing 1 & Thing 2 home too. 🙂 Even when I was in 4th grade, I would leave class to go help her get the A.M. class get ready to go home. It’s a shame she had to leave, but we will all remember her as a kind, caring friend, teacher, and family member. 🙂 <3
My heart is truely broken, my life wont be the same. God chose you for his Angel, for he is not to blame! I greived for you when lightning struck, it wasn’t your time to go.. you fought hard and came back to us, to all you loved and know. A special place in my heart, is where you’ll always be, My happy thoughts and treasured moments are just a memory. My tears are over flowing, but I will be okay, for I know where your going, and I’ll see you again some day!!!
Having known Gwynn and her siblings from grade school days when we rode the same bus (Edie Killian’s #4), to having her sub for me when I was on medical leave, to our many years as MCSC employees and members of Mooresville’s now defunct American Association of University Women chapter – I know Gwynn was well loved. My sympathies to Jim and family for your loss.
God has a special place waiting for such a special lady.
I had mrs wilkins for kindergarten and my daughter had her this last school year. i went to school with my daughter and mrs wilkins remembered me after 28 years. she was a wonderful teacher and a caring person. my thoughts and prayers go out to her family in this hard time.
I didn’t have Mrs. Wilkins but I always remember her being such a nice teacher when I was in elementary school. Everyone I that I know who had her loved her. R.I.P. Mrs. Wilkins!
I had her in kindergarten and now I’m a senior in college to become a teacher as well. I remember her being one awesome teacher :’)
Gwynn was such a kind-hearted and gentle spirited soul. She spent a lifetime encouraging and influencing young minds with her positive outlook on life. Her love for teaching never faded, and neither will the life-long love her students will share of wonderful, happy memories in her classroom. I am honored to say she was my daughter’s first teacher (Caitlyn Hymer), and she was a good friend and fellow teacher. You are missed by so many, but your new peacefulness is comforting.
Stephanie, I love these pictures of Gwynn. Thank you for sharing them as they really capture her essence.
This is one of my favorite teachers that i have looked up to for twelve years of school and now shes gone i wont get to tell her i graduated even though she may not be in life but her spirt is here all the time thanks for being my guide through school i have some of the best memorys of you I miss you and love you best friend to have as a teacher. Derrick
What a pleasure to teach Kindergarten with Gwynn while I was at N. Armstrong several years ago. Gwynn was clever, imaginative, enthusiastic, relational, determined, loyal, caring and a joy to know. She was very inclusive of all her students and wanted to create an environment of curiosity and wonder. I believe she did all that and her influence upon us all bears good fruit. An apple for this teacher and a loving embrace for this friend. Blessings to Jim and her beloved family. Beverly Nay
Mrs. Wilkins was my favorite kindergarten teacher. I met my best friend, Derrick Willis, in her class, and we’ve been friends ever since. I am a senior now, and it’s hard take grasp that she has passed on. I will always keep her in my prayers. I know her spirit is looking down on me and with that I shall have to make my senior year extra special in memory of her. I love you, and miss you, Mrs. Wilkins!
Gwynn was a wonderful teacher. She will be missed. God bless Jim and family
Herbie, Thank you so much for being the glue to our family. You are an inspirational gift from God. You was the best Aunt a girl could ever ask for. Lastnite as we gathered by your bed, Christ came down and kissed you on your head, he said thank you my child for you services on Earth but the time has come for your services in my Heavenly Earth. Love you Aunt Gwynn Andi
You will be greatly missed by so many, but you are with so many love ones. I see your smile and kind eyes. love you all
Love this wonderful Lady and will never forget her!!!
Both of my daughters were lucky enough to have Mrs. Wilkins for Kindergarten. She was a great teacher and I am sure that she will be missed by many.
I’m sure there is a family reunion in heaven right now. God called an angel home.
Mrs. Wilkins gave my son a great first year of school. He has lot of memories of her and what she taught him. She was such a strong woman and will be greatly missed. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I don’t think I have seen Gwynn since high school…not even at Ball State. We were not best friends, but I knew her well as most do in a class of under 190 and we had class together many times. We spoke often and she always seemed to have a smile as I recall from those magnificent days of our youth. It is always nice to see comments about a friend and what I have read here tells a wonderful story. I am amazed that Gwynn was 60+, but then all of us from MHS 1969 are now. God Bless Gwynn and her family. Rest easy now, leaving a job well done! Roger
I always looked foward to seeing her smile,She was a great teacher,I’m going to miss her so much. God Bless Gwynn and her family. Ron and Cheryl and former students
I was a student of Mrs. Wilkins in 1988, and she has been one of the only teachers I remember throughout school and even today in college. She was an amazing teacher, and will hold a place in my heart forever. I also remember delivering 4-H geraniums to her with my grandpa, and how kind she always was. She wanted to know how I was and how things were going. Mrs. Wilkins you will be missed, and children for ever on will miss out on an incredible teacher and friend.