Jennifer Thomas Wagoner

Jenny was born on July 6, 1952 in Highland Park, Illinois to Bob and Barbara Thomas. In 1959 she moved to Richmond, VA with her family. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1974 with a degree in Special Education. She taught in Richmond for a few years until, in 1978, she married Ron, the love of her life. They moved to Raleigh in 1978 and made a beautiful home, welcoming two children over the years.

Once her kids were older, she went back into teaching, spending over 25 years in the Wake County Public School System working with children and teens with special needs, developing their practical skills while instilling confidence and kindness in each of her students. In her later years, she relished in time spent in her garden, going on adventures with her grandson Ronan, swimming laps in her pool, taking long walks through her neighborhood where she never met a stranger (including dogs), and finding any excuse to throw a dinner party.

Her family and friends remember her as an exuberant woman with a zest for life and compassion for everyone she met. Jenny is survived by her daughter Abbie (Cortland) of Raleigh, her treasured grandson Ronan, her stepson Bryce of Kill Devil Hills, her brother Jeff (Tayloe) of Ashland, VA, and her sister Karen (Stephen) of Richmond, VA. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ron Wagoner, her son Zack, and her brother Kevil.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Transitions LifeCare for their impeccable care and kindness.

There will be a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery (701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh) on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00am. There will be a Celebration of Life gathering on June 20, 2024 at 6pm at Transfer Co. in downtown Raleigh.

Flowers are welcome, but if you prefer to make a donation, one can be made in her name to The Autism Society of NC (https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/memorials-tributes).

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.