Wanda Ann Whitehead, age 82, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Wanda was born July 15, 1933, in Centertown, Kentucky, the daughter of Thomas and Lucille (James) Bennett. On December 26, 1953, she was united in marriage to Tony Whitehead and together they celebrated 62 years of marriage. Besides raising a family, Wanda worked outside the home at various times including General Electric in Owensboro, Kentucky. She was active as a Sunday School teacher for many years and was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Flora. Wanda ministered to many neighborhood children and lived her faith to the fullest. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest passion.
Wanda is survived by her husband: Tony Whitehead of Flora; two sons: Ted (Karen) Whitehead and Gary (Karen) Whitehead both of Flora; one brother: “R.T.” (Sue) Bennett of Denver, Colorado; two sisters: Maxine (Drexel) Heflin of Hammond, Indiana and Janita Holladay of Owensboro, Kentucky; 7 grandchildren: Miranda (Brock) Kroenlein, Josalyn (Jonas) Wyatt, Nathan (Noel) Whitehead, Laura Whitehead, Lucas Whitehead, Jacob Whitehead and Maria Whitehead; 4 great-grandchildren: Gracie and Allison Kroenlein, Chesley and Ezra Wyatt, and another great-granddaughter on the way; a daughter-in-law: Sherry Whitehead of Flora; along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son: Bruce Whitehead, two brothers: Larry and Gene Bennett, two sisters: Cora Belle James and Carolyn Kirk, two grandsons: Adam Whitehead and Joseph Whitehead, and a daughter-in-law: Lisa Whitehead.
A funeral service for Wanda Whitehead will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with Rev. Eddie Duke officiating. Interment will be in St. Stephen Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to Guadalupe Project or Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted through the funeral home.