Wilma Jean Young

Born to the late W.A. and Jean Gillentine Rogers on January 21, 1947, Wilma Jean Rogers Young passed from this life on December 11th, 2025.

Wilma Jean was raised in the Midway community. She and her brother Kenneth spent an idyllic childhood roaming the countryside and spending most of their time with their cousins, especially Donna Faye, Lamar, and Betty Ann. In fact, one of her favorite childhood memories was when she, Kenneth, and Donna Faye snuck down to the chicken house and threw rotten eggs at each other. That did not end well for them. She grew up living right beside her favorite Uncle and Aunt, J.C. and Donna Gillentine, getting to babysit her cousins Jason and Tammy.

During her early teen years, Wilma Jean developed a love for cooking; this became important later. She honed these skills, excelling in many 4-H competitions. She continued to be active in 4-H through high school, becoming 4-H Woman of the Year in 1965. Wilma Jean graduated from Central High School and Latane’s Beauty School.

On December 17, 1965, Wilma Jean married Ed Young. She began her first “big girl” job when Gene Dunlap added a beauty shop onto her house. In this house, Ed and Wilma Jean began their family with two children, Regina and Sam. They continued to live in the Midway Community for many years, being especially active in coaching softball.

Soon Ed and Wilma Jean began what would become their major life’s work. They became business owners: Ed’s Korner Market, Ed’s Food Center, and the Donut Caboose. These businesses allowed Wilma Jean to tap into her love for cooking. They ran these businesses until Ed’s death in 1992.

After Ed’s death, Wilma Jean had several other jobs. Her favorite was running her daycare. She sure loved her babies. In 2003, Wilma Jean, with the help of her son Sam, was able to open her dream: Wilma Jean’s Kitchen. There she lovingly cooked and baked for the people of Warren County. She ran her business with pride for nine years. In 2012, she decided to retire, but in true Wilma Jean fashion, this retirement lasted about a week. She next became a cook for Meals on Wheels. She was most proud of her work with Nancy Mayfield here. When she finally truly retired, she lived most of her remaining life with her family in Rock Island.

Despite all of these accomplishments, she was most proud of her family. She loved her children; however, she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren more. (It's okay, everyone knows this fact.) Nothing in life brought her more joy.

Wilma Jean loved the Lord and His church. She was a long-time member of the Rock Island Church of Christ and the East End Church of Christ.

Wilma Jean is survived by her daughter, Regina (Jeff) Matheney and son Sam (Lisa) Young, grandchildren, Ben (Kendra) Matheney, Neil (Kirsten) Matheney, Samantha (Andy) Sliger, and Maddie Young. Her great-grandchildren, Karlee, Boone, Libby, Banks, and Blaze Matheney, and her daughter-in-love Felicia.

She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth (Jeanette) Rogers, sister-in-law, Janice (Jerry) Womack, and Joan Bozeman, brother-in-law, Gary (Jean) Young. Special nephew, Dale Rogers, special cousins, Betty Ann Medley and Lamar Womack. Her dear friend, Gail Keel and her life-long friend, Linda Collier, and her card playing girls: Julie, Nette, Phyllis, and Sue. Other nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

She is also survived by a host of friends, daycare babies, softball girls, and beloved customers. Special thanks to her caregivers Christina Jones and Gentiva Hospice.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in High’s Chapel with Kevin Key officiating. Burial will follow at a later date. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 pm and Wednesday 12:00 pm until time of service at High’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, East End Church of Christ, or Covenant Academy Library.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home and High’s Cremations, Inc. are in charge of arrangements.