Jo-Ellen H. Yent Wilder

1946 - 2023

Jo-Ellen H. Yent Wilder passed away June 24, 2023 following a long illness. A native of New Orleans, she was eldest of the four children of James B. Yent Sr. (d. 2004) and Doris Oustalet Yent (d. 2015); sister to Christine Yent Zirhut (Michael) of Shingle Springs CA; James B. Yent Jr. (Teresa) of Raleigh NC and John M. Yent (Marcos) of New Orleans. She was the devoted wife of her loving husband, William Newton Wilder since 1978; stepmother to Mary Jo Wilder Dillard; grandmother to three and great grandmother to six; aunt to eight; great aunt to eight. A 1964 graduate of Saint Joseph Academy, Jo-Ellen went on to graduate from Florida State University in December 1967 with a BA in Social Work, 1978 graduate of University of North Carolina at Greensboro with an MEd in Counseling & Guidance and a 1992 graduate of Southern University in New Orleans with an MSW in Social Work. Jo-Ellen's entire professional career of 45 years was in service to the at-risk, the elderly and people with disabilities. She began as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services in Virginia Beach VA and Jacksonville FL where she also worked with the blind. She had been a Social Worker for nursing homes in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and New Bern NC. Jo-Ellen went on to be a Medical Social Worker at St. Jude Medical Center (Ochsner-Kenner), Southern Baptist Hospital (Ochsner-Baptist) and VA Medical Center in New Orleans. She helped to pioneer the Transplant Medical Social Work program at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte NC for many years before her retirement. Jo-Ellen garnered the respect of colleagues everywhere she served. A devout Catholic, she participated in numerous church events. A Memorial mass in Greensboro NC to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Catholic Charities office. We are thankful for your soul and all the souls you join in Heaven, through the mercy of God. Rest in peace.