Wilma Lee Shields, 85, originally from Romney, WV, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Wilma was born on October 17, 1938 to the late Denver Stephen Shields, Sr. and Vauda Buckbee Shields. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara “Bobbie” Shields Pancake; her brother Denver “Denny” Stephen Shields, Jr.; her former husband James Franklin Jackson III; and her son Thomas “Tommy” Jonathan Jackson.
Wilma is survived by her daughter Cynthia “Cindy” Jackson Woolfolk and her husband, Neil Woolfolk; her son, James Clinton “Clint” Jackson and his wife, Katherine Wornom Jackson; her grandchildren, Jamie Warren and her husband Kenny Warren, Henley, Raleigh and Taylor Grace Jackson; and one great-granddaughter, Catherine “Cat” Warren.
Wilma “Lee, Sissy or Aunt Sis” was born before WWII in Winchester, VA and had early memories of moving to Baltimore, MD so her father Denver could work in the shipyard as a welder. After the war, they moved back to Romney and opened a gas station and convenience store before selling it to open Shields Plumbing and Heating.
After graduating from Romney High School in 1956, she attended Potomac State University and in 1958 obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in journalism with a minor English. During college, she was selected to be the Campus Covergirl for the East Coast by the Pittsburg Herald. In September of 1958, she married Jim Jackson outside of Fort Benning, GA. That same year, she was issued a secret security clearance and later became an Office Assistant for Senator and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1960 to 1962. She then worked for Senator Lausche (OH) and Senator McIntrye (NH) from 1963-1969 and attended the Inauguration Ceremony for LBJ on January 30, 1965. During these years she resided in Silver Spring, MD, worked full-time and raised her children (Tommy, Cindy and Clint). She and Jim divorced in 1972, and from 1973-1976 she served as a librarian for Montgomery Public Schools.
In August of 1976, she married Lesin “Les” Comeau and moved to Rhinebeck, NY. Over the next few years, she focused her time on her new marriage, raising her youngest son, and staying active in the community. She was a member of the League of Women Voters of Dutchess County, The First Baptist Church of Rhinebeck, she served on the board for the Northern Dutchess Christian School, and co-chaired the Rhinebeck/Rheinbach Student Exchange.
Upon her son attending Old Dominion University, she relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia and went to work for James City County Public Schools in 1994. After retirement she remained in Virginia until 2016, when she relocated to Prosper, TX to live with her son and his family.
Wilma worked hard her entire life to provide for her family. She loved gardening, singing in the choir, sailing, cross country skiing, cooking, crafts, volunteering, and holidays. She peacefully passed away in Celina, Texas without pain, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for many years.
Friends will be received on Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Shaffer Funeral Home in Romney with a graveside service immediately to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Indian Mound Cemetery in Romney, WV. Following the graveside service, friends are invited to the Bottling Works in Romney for a celebration of life.
Memorial contributions may be made in Wilma’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Daughter’s of the American Revolution.
