Jean

July 9, 1944 - August 6, 2021

Wilma Jean Roark-Mets died last month on August 6th, 2021. She had been diagnosed with Cancer in the spring of 2020 and died of complications. Mrs. Mets was born July 9, 1944 just outside of Fayetteville, West Virginia, in Wolf Creek as the daughter of Van and Roberta Roark; third born out of 9 children. The Roark family moved from West Virginia to Ohio when Wilma was nine years old. Settling outside of Ashville, she attended Walnut School but left high school just short of graduation to become the wife of Ralph Mets also of Ashville in December 1960. The Mets’ settled just outside of Amanda; after living in Circleville for twenty years, fulfilling Wilma’s lifelong dream to return to the country she grew to love in childhood. Ralph and Wilma were married almost 62 years. Founding members of Logan Elm Baptist Church just outside of Stoutsville. Wilma fulfilled many roles in the church over the years from teaching Sunday School to singing in the choir and cooking many casseroles for carry-ins. Self-improvement and the pursuit to acquire new skills and talents was something she took seriously in life. “Never stop learning” was her mantra. In the early 80’s, Ralph and Wilma became active members in the Round Town Squares Western Square-Dancing Club based in Circleville. Wilma also earned her real estate license once upon a time; learned to clog dance; ballroom dance; how to craft porcelain dolls and became a nail technician at the age of 50. Wilma Mets will also be remembered as the-mother-of-all-mothers most of all. Nurturing and kind; yet stern and mentoring; she offered wisdom through stories and old wives' tales. Being a skilled joke teller, Wilma was always good for a belly laugh. Besides their own four children, Ralph and Wilma had a foster home for teenagers from 1985-1990. Within that time, they had over 100 children that lived in their home. They are former members of the Ohio Foster Care Association and were co-owners of Clear Creek Valley Network of Foster Homes. Wilma was preceded in death by her sisters Loretta, Lois, Barbara and Betty Joyce, and brothers Carl Milton, and Van Jr. She is survived by her loving husband Ralph Mets, Sr; (her daughter) Heaven Thomson Myers and Gary Myers, (her son) Ralph Jr. and Catherine Mets, (her son) Dan and Cathy Mets, and (her daughter) Melodee Hicks. Grandchildren: Rynn and Ryann Mets, Scott and Cody Thompson, C.J. and Taylor Mets, Brice and Presley Williams and Eli Hicks. Great grandchildren Levi and Kiley Mae Thomson; and siblings Evelyn RoarkJohnson and Larry Ro