Amanda Shay [Odom] Wilkins

Amanda Shay [Odom] Wilkins, 33, of Prince Frederick, MD passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, surrounded by her family and closest friends. Amanda was born July 3, 1985 in Annapolis, MD, and was the beautiful daughter to Rona Carbauh Hays of Huntingtown, MD; Patrick Odom and Kathy Drinks-Odom of Huntingtown, MD; and daughter-in-law to Jimmy and Julie Wilkins of Tallulah, LA. She was the oldest sibling to Cara Barger (Nick), Joseph Fox, Caleb Fox, Gabrielle Fox, and Tori McDowell (Marcus). Amanda attended Mt. Harmony Elementary, Calvert Middle, and graduated from Calvert High School in May, 2003 . She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, where she became a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Amanda was born to be a nurse and serve the needs of her patients. She loved taking care of others, and her warm and caring spirit touched the lives of thousands of patients at Georgetown University Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Anne Arundel Medical Center, and the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base. Following her graduation from college, Amanda met and fell in love with Master Sgt. Jeremy Wilkins of the United States Air Force. They were married on June 11, 2010, and welcomed the greatest joy of their lives, Madison Shay Wilkins, who was born on March 9, 2011. Amanda was a phenomenal mother who chaperoned countless field trips, Girl Scout events, school functions, and community events. Amanda and Jeremy exemplified the military family life serving their community with honor and grace, humbly accepting every change of duty station and overseas deployment. She became lifelong friends with so many military spouses in their travels at Bolling Air Force Base, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Andrews Air Force Base. She honored the role of being from a Law Enforcement family, passionately supporting the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department and Maryland State Police. Amanda lit up a room with her infectious smile, beautiful blue eyes and compassionate heart. She cherished each friendship regardless if it was someone she just met or a lifelong friend. She was sentimental and an open book, documenting her life story through photos and her feelings about life, love, and loss. Amanda was a hero and champion for fellow cancer warriors and survivors, until the day she took her last breath. She actively reached out to others who were living with cancer to offer a listening ear, words of encouragement, or a simple “I’m sorry you are going through this”. Amanda was adamant that no one, including herself, ever loses a battle against cancer. She was victorious in facing what she had no choice but to endure with courage, bravery, and faith. Amanda is survived by her devoted spouse Jeremy, daughter Madison Shay, parents Rona Hays, Patrick and Kathy Odom; in-laws Jimmy and Julie Wilkins, siblings Cara, Joe, Caleb, Gabby, and Tori; aunts and uncles Alana and Brent VanHorn, Erica and Jerrell Carr, Beverly and Mark Davis, Jeffrey Odom and Suzanne Hook, and Charles Odom; nieces and nephew Mya and Morgan Barger, and Naveah McDowell; great-nieces Adrianna and Ziva Carr; and a huge host of extended family, friends, and their loyal family dog “Peaches”. Memorial contributions may be made to Amanda’s GoFundMe to purchase books for children facing the loss of a parent and will be gifted to the Anne Arundel Medical Center DeCasaris Cancer Institute in her memory. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Amanda Shay [Odom] Wilkins please visit our Sympathy Store.