Wanda Joyce Long, 80, formerly of Dunlap, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday July 26, 2016 at Highland Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
She was born January 27, 1936, to Brooks Whitlow and Lettie Seals Whitlow. Wanda, a native of Dunlap, was a loving wife, mother, sister, See-See Gran and friend. She was first employed in 1959 as the first librarian of Sequatchie County. Later, she was employed at the Sequatchie County Extension Service and then opened her own business, The Sewing Box. When the first office of optometry opened in Dunlap she joined the practice and became a licensed optician. After she retired at sixty-five she was named director of Citizens Tri-County Bank Senior Travel Club. Wanda was a member of Mount Pleasant Congregational Methodist Church and later the Dunlap First United Methodist Church.
Wanda is remembered for her love of nature, especially her enthusiastic searches for wildflowers in the hills and gulfs of Tennessee where she enjoyed God's handiwork. Many remember Wanda for her passion for life, quick wit, delicious fried chicken and secret recipe lemonade. She was involved in several community organizations including the American Business Women's Association, the Dunlap Coke Ovens Museum and Park, and Friends of the Library.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, John L. Long; her parents; and brothers, Lindell, Conley, W.B. and David.
She is survived by two daughters, Gloria Deister and husband Dennis of Brandon, MS and Laurel Long Holland of Suwanee, GA; grandsons, Stephen Deister and wife Keisha of Corpus Christi, TX and Kevin Deister and wife Allison of Brandon, MS; sisters, Evelyn Whitlow and Juanita Tate of Dunlap, Rachel Rhodes and husband Noah of Farmington, MO; brother, John Whitlow and wife Regina of Patton, MO; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 30 at 12 p.m. CDT in the funeral home chapel.
Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Sequatchie County Public Library Foundation, 227 Cherry Street, Dunlap, TN 37327 or Mount Pleasant Congregational Methodist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap, where the family will receive friends Saturday from 10 a.m. CDT until time of service.