Family and friends remember Jamie Ann Wilson

TEKOA - Jamie Ann Wilson's friends, and family gathered for a memorial on Saturday, April 13, at the Tekoa Event Center.

Over a hundred gathered in the building, several having to stand, with many saying they remembered her as a light in their lives and a driven individual.

Wilson was found deceased March 26, the victim of an alleged homicide.

A Daughter, A Sister, A Friend

Courtesy of Jessie-Wilson Schneider

Jamie Ann Wilson with family.

Wilson was born in Salem, Oreg., on July 8, 1998, to parents Troy and Alicia Wilson, who later settled in Tekoa.

The youngest of four girls and joined by a younger brother, her sister Jessie Wilson-Schneider said her family called her "The Special," known to walk around barefoot and always looking out for her siblings.

"Jamie was the sort of person you would never forget even after meeting her only once," said Wilson's childhood friend Paige Garcia.

Lori Knoll, the mother in law of Wilson's sister Wilson-Schneider, said that while her personal meetings were few she describes Wilson as a talented, beautiful, bright light in this world. "We shared a love for the Philadelphia Eagles football team, and she painted a beautiful jean jacket that I bought from her," Knoll said.

Friends describe Wilson as the kind of person that was always there to listen to them with no judgement.

"She was the greatest protector of everyone she loved and my first phone call for anything always," said her childhood best friend Samantha Williams.

Wilson is remembered as vibrant and loving, the kind of person that spread love to everyone she came across. "She was a force and I am so glad I was able to grow up knowing her and being loved by her," Garcia said.

"She especially loved her brother, so very much," another friend said, "He is autistic and she told me that when growing up through hard times, she had to step up, and be the one to take care of him. Having to fill that role, I believe, shaped her into being an incredibly hard worker later on in life."

Chef, Artist, Musician

Courtesy of Jessie Wilson-Schneider

Jamie Ann Wilson Works in the kitchen.

Graduating from Tekoa High School in 2016, Wilson went on to earn her Bachelor of Hospitality Management from Washington State University. She was working towards finishing her Masters degree of Organizational Management and Leadership.

"We did everything together from traveling for concerts to big culinary work events," Williams said, adding that Wilson blazed the trail for Tekoa High School to have a culinary art competitive team going onto a victory at state their senior year.

"She had told me the world was her oyster," her father Troy Wilson said at the memorial.

"Jamie was the most talented person I ever knew," Williams said, "She could pick up any instrument and master it in a day."

Another friend remembers her as always having food for him to take home after they hung out.

"Write music, paint, draw, cook at the level of a Michelin star chef, anything she wanted to do she excelled in," Williams said.

Emilee Palmer met Wilson in an art class in 2019 at Washington State University, "I always thought of her as the most artistic and talented person in that class," Palmer said.

Wilson is remembered for being artistic, confident, full of life and metaphors by family and friends.

"The things her mind came up with were unfathomable to me," Palmer said, "She always thought outside the box that I never seemed to be able to break out of."

Wilson was known for her infectious laugh, carefree nature and her signature winged eyeliner. She could be found sporting Chuck Taylors and a backwards ball cap.

"She had confidence that will never be matched," Garcia said, "She wore whatever she wanted because she liked it and didn't care for any opinions. She was wild and my definition of rock and roll."

Friends and family describe Wilson as the kind of person that was so passionate about life and pursuing her goals that they were inspired to do the same.

"Watching her pushed me to be better, to be different and to be proud of it," Palmer said, "If she didn't know how to do something initially, she'd figure it out on her own."

Wilson's family and friends remember her as the kind of person that brought light into the dark. "She was a beautiful soul," Palmer said.

"She had such a beautiful soul," another friend said, "She was loved."

"There will never be another best friend quite like her," Williams said.

Friends and family said they keep the memory of Jamie Ann Wilson close to their hearts, and find courage in remembering her legacy by making the world their oyster and spreading the kindness and love that she gave them.

Jacob Erik Spray, 36, of Pullman is being held in the Whitman County Jail on second-degree murder on a bail of $200,000 through Superior Court.

Spray's trial is set for 9 a.m. on June 3.