Diane Colvin Wilkes passed away following a brief illness on November 1, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. Diane was born in Waycross, Georgia, on January 23, 1946, to Macie Jacobs Colvin and Herbert Hampton Colvin. Diane grew up in Hoboken, GA and graduated from Hoboken High School, where she excelled at basketball. She attended Georgia Southern College (now Georgia Southern University), earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in special education. She obtained her Doctorate in Education in 1988 from NOVA Southeastern University.

On August 24, 1968, she married James Lester "Jimmy" Wilkes. They made their home in Statesboro, GA and Reidsville, GA before moving to Jekyll Island, GA 33 years ago, to be near the ocean & salt air.

Diane began her teaching career at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School before becoming a stay-at-home mother. She later taught at Pinewood Christian Academy, followed by many positions with the Tattnall County Board of Education, including Special Education Director. She also served as Technology, Social Services, and FTE Coordinator for the Tattnall County School System and was an outstanding member of the Southeast Regional Troubled Children's Committee (SERTCC). In 1989, the Georgia House of Representatives adopted a resolution commending her for her many contributions to SERTCC and to the troubled children of the state. The resolution recognized her work helping young people and their families find the support and community services that allowed families to stay together, and praised her as a dedicated, caring professional who made a real difference in the lives of her students and community. She was exceptionally dedicated to special education. After moving to Jekyll Island, she began working with Babies Can't Wait.

Diane was a long-time member of Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church.

Above all, Diane treasured her family, including her children and grandchildren. Visits with “Darlin’” or “Di” - as she was affectionately known by her grandkids - often included puzzles and spirited games of UNO at the kitchen table.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Macie Jacobs Colvin and Herbert Hampton Colvin, and her brother, Charles Wade Colvin. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, James Lester "Jimmy" Wilkes; her younger sister, Debbie Colvin; her children, Jason Wilkes (Donna) of Reno, Nevada, Susan Sparks (Nathan) of Niceville, Florida, Mark Wilkes (Christy) of Glennville, Georgia, and Kristy Murphy (Mike) of Brunswick, Georgia; and her grandchildren, Taylor Wilkes, Haley Wilkes, Macie English (Hunter), Jackson Sparks, Cohen Wilkes, and Avery Murphy.

Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church at 2 p.m. with Pastor Randy Watson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Diane’s name be made to Faith Works of Brunswick, Georgia.

Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wilkes family.