Jan Simpson Wolfe of Vidalia, ….

Jan Simpson Wolfe of Vidalia, GA, died October 5, 2021, at the Heart & Vascular Institute in Savannah, GA, following multiple procedures to restore her failing health. Jan loved life, and at the center of her heart was her family. For 22 days, her husband Alan was at her side every minute the hospital doors were open for visitation. Jan was born April 15, 1952, in Athens, GA, the second daughter of Fostine and Carl Simpson.

The young family settled in Dublin, GA, where she attended public schools and graduated from Dublin High School. In 1981, she graduated with distinction from Georgia Southern with a degree in Early Childhood Education and later completed her Master’s in Education in 1989. Jan was a born teacher — math being her favorite subject — and she loved being in the classroom. She taught for 30 years in the school systems of Toombs County, Vidalia City, and Appling County. As much as Jan loved her family, her students and teaching, she also loved the North Georgia mountains. She was never happier than while sitting on the porch of her mountain cabin watching the sunset, planning a day of apple picking, or visiting the shops of downtown Blue Ridge.

An everyday activity when at home was tending the plants on her back porch — many of the tomatoes she grew were eaten right off the vine. Jan’s birdfeeders provided hours of entertainment, as did cooking channels, and trying new recipes, although cleaning up afterwards was not her forte. Most of all, she enjoyed cooking for and feeding her family and taking a dish she had prepared to friends and neighbors. This gesture, like so many others, illustrates what was important to Jan, whose joy came not in doing for herself but in doing for others.

Hundreds of baby blankets, lovingly crafted, have been gifted to young mothers in Toombs and surrounding counties. Magical costumes which were created for school events and dance groups thrilled young performers. For years, she sewed batches of pillowcase dresses that were shipped to Africa as part of an international ministry.

Jan and Alan are longtime members of the First Baptist Church Vidalia and active members of the Georgia Power Altamaha Ambassadors.

Jan is survived by her husband of 50 years, Alan Martin Wolfe; daughter Angela Melissa Wolfe of Savannah; son Alan Christopher (Art) Wolfe of Vidalia; four grandchildren, Makayla Danielle Wolfe, Virginia Madison Wolfe, Anderson Christopher (Andy) Wolfe, and Avalan Grae (Ava) Wolfe. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Simpson Smith (Mason) of Dublin, GA; nephews Ben Smith (Angela) of Irving, TX, and Mason Smith, Jr. (Sarah) of Tampa, FL; and sister-inlaw Jennie Lynn Wolfe of Savannah, GA.

As a career educator, nothing would make Jan happier than donations of school supplies being made in her memory to Sally D. Meadows Elementary School.

Pallbearers were Chuck Bennett, Will Bennett, Travis Bennett, Rob Hilton, Eddie Perkins, and Bill McLeod.

Honorary pallbearers were the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church and the Georgia Power Ambassadors.

The funeral service was Friday, October 8, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home, with Reverend Don Moye officiating. Burial followed at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Ronald V. Hall

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'Memories, of a Lifetime of Love'

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Mrs. Jan Wolfe