Jacqueline Adams Wimmer ended a 31-year fight with Parkinson’s Disease on her own terms in Roanoke, Va. on Friday, April 28, 2023. She was 75 years old.

Many of you knew her as “Jackie.” Some of you knew her as “Jacqueline.” I knew her for almost half a century as “Mom.”

Let me tell you about Mom. Mom was pretty, silly, an animal-lover, selfless, and stronger than most people gave her credit for. She could be shy and awkward (traits I inherited) and hated to have her photo taken (ditto). She had raven colored hair, hazel eyes, and was a southpaw.

Mom was born in Roanoke on October 2, 1947. She grew up in Roanoke and graduated from William Fleming High School in 1965. She would eventually earn an associate degree from Virginia Western Community College. She worked at Babcock and Wilcox in Lynchburg, before eventually working at Fabricated Metals Incorporated in Roanoke where she stayed until she retired.

Mom knew how to twirl a fire baton. She marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. She drove a ’68 British Racing Yellow MG-B (though she would tell you she really wanted a Stingray). She went back to school to learn sign language. She was an 80’s working woman who wore shoulder pads and would sometimes concoct terrible recipes that involved things in cans and items that never, ever should have been put together.

Her hard work and sacrifice allowed me to travel, dance, play piano (poorly), sing, act, and get a higher education. I would not be where I am today without her. I hope she knows that.

Mom was married to my dad, Steve, for nearly 55 years. They married when they were young, lived in Lynchburg for a bit but settled in Roanoke. They lived in the same home for more than four decades. Later in life, dad was her primary caregiver. She knew he loved her.

Mom is survived by her husband, Steve; her daughter, Stacy (Ronnie); her stepbrother, Joseph Dean Bandy (Robin); and a list of caring friends and neighbors.

I would especially like to thank Dr. Carl and Mary T. Bivens, Linda Vaughn, Vicki Keyser, and Barb Pinson for their kindness to my mom and dad over the years. I would also like to thank the staff at Pheasant Ridge who helped make her final days more comfortable.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary W. Adams; father, Jack D. Adams; sister, Donna H. Lancaster; brother-in-law, Robert D. Lancaster; and stepmother Anna Jean Adams.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Oakey’s South Chapel with the Rev. Donna Hopkins-Britt officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Oakey’s South Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor my mom’s memory by donating to the Roanoke Valley SPCA or take your own swipe against Parkinson’s Disease by donating to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.