Jennifer "Jenny" LeAnn Willis Gillikin

On December 29th, 2025, Carteret County and the world lost a beautiful force of life far too soon. Jennifer LeAnn Willis Gillikin passed away peacefully at home in Otway.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Gillikin Golden Family Cemetery in Otway. 

Jenny was the second child born to Robert "Roddy" Willis and Carolyn Willis Morris on June 2, 1979. Her young life was spent surrounded by family, siblings, friends, cousins, and classmates on her beloved Davis Shore. She also loved spending time in Atlantic with her maternal grandparents, Joe and Pearl Willis, and a host of friends and cousins in that fishing village. She attended school at Smyrna and then East Carteret High School, where she was elected senior class president of the class of 1997 before graduating.

Following graduation from East Carteret High School, she continued her education at Carteret Community College. In 2002, she began working in the District Attorney's office at the Carteret County Courthouse, where she served for twelve years and built lasting friendships across the county. After leaving the courthouse, she became a certified phlebotomist, traveling across multiple counties to provide office and in-home visits.

On Mother's Day of 2001, her life forever changed for the better as the joy of her life, her son Lucas Riley Scadden, was born. Jenny was a fiercely devoted mother, pouring her heart and soul into raising her baby boy. Her heart's desire was that he would always know the depths and power of her love for him and her commitment to him. And she would readily tell you that he was her greatest love and her proudest accomplishment in life. Watching him grow into a smart, successful, good man brought her unspeakable joy and gratitude, and she was so proud of all his accomplishments.

On June 17th, 2023, Jenny married the love of her life, Kevin Gillikin, at a small intimate sunset wedding on the east shore of Shackleford Banks, with the lapping tides at their feet and the bright diamonds of Cape Lookout lighthouse over their shoulders. They made their home on Gillikin Road, and Jenny commented often on the love, joy, peace, comfort, and safety that their life together brought to her.

Her presence could fill a room with laughter or provide tender comfort and strength during life's most difficult moments. Whatever was needed in each moment and season—Jenny would be that for those she held dear. Those she loved knew the gift of her honest counsel and the power of her unwavering loyalty.

She was renowned for her wit, but beneath the laughter lay deep intelligence, keen perception, and endless creativity. She could stand her ground with conviction while also meeting others with remarkable empathy.

Throughout her life, her circle continually expanded as more and more people were drawn to her light, her laughter, her humor, and her care. She folded each person in, made room for them, and loved them well. To so many, she became irreplaceable—a constant source of joy, strength, and belonging.

Above all, she gave freely of a gift the world desperately needs—the gift of showing up. When you needed Jenny, Jenny was there. Fully present, without reservation, offering exactly what the moment required. That constancy, that reliability of love and support, was perhaps her greatest legacy to those fortunate enough to call her friend.

And though her passing came far too soon, leaving profound sadness and a void no other could fill, her light endures. Her love, her passion, her humor, and her legacy live on in the face of her son, in the hearts of all who loved her, in the memories we carry, in the laughter she gave us, and in the selfless devotion she showed to every person who called her friend.

Jenny is preceded in death by her father, Robert "Roddy" Willis; paternal grandparents Clement and Norma Willis; maternal grandparents Joe and Pearl Willis; maternal uncles David Willis and Kevin Willis; paternal aunt Brenda Willis; and dearest friends Hamilton Nobles and Kelly Gillikin (sister-in-law).

She is survived by her son Lucas Riley Scadden (Gracie) of Oxford, NC; daughter Vivian Rose "Vivi-Ro" and husband Kevin Gillikin of Otway; her mother Carolyn Morris and stepfather Larry Morris of Smyrna; brother Ryan Willis (Marie) of Sea Level; sister Lori Willis Pittman (Jamie) of Newport; sister Ashley Morris Lewis (Mark) of Gloucester; brother Neal Morris (Jamie) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and coworkers who will carry on her memory with love and tenderness.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.