Wanda Lee Dean Hammond, 88, of Fort Payne, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026. She was born January 2, 1938 in Cherokee County, Alabama, to the late Hardy and Leona Dean. Wanda was a graduate of Cedar Bluff High School, where she was a cheerleader, before continuing her education at Gadsden Business School. She and her beloved husband of 51 years, Grady, owned and operated U.S.A. Knit Hosiery.
Ms. Wanda was an avid golfer, who enjoyed painting, reading, working crossword puzzles and was an accomplished pianist. In 1955, she was the winner of the Betty Crocker Cooking contest at the State Fair.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Will Ramage officiating. Entombment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. hour of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Dekalb Animal Shelter, St. Judes or a charity of your choice.
She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Lynn Dean; brother-in-law Van Stone; and chosen family and special friends Gil and Michelle Graham and family, Mike and Anita Hester and family, Marie Presley, Linda and DeWayne Simpson, Billy and Pat Vezertzis, James Blevins, Kim Thom, Wanda and Ken Hall, and Missy Arnold.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life Grady Hammond in 2011 and her siblings Shelby Lindley (Roy), Max Dean (Mary), Billy Joe Dean (Ruth), Fred Dean, Jimmy Dean, and sister-in-law Verlie Dean.
Special thanks are extended to the caregivers at Close As Family in Rainsville, the staff of Cherokee Village Assisted Living, and in her last days, the staff of Cherokee County Health and Rehab and Pro-Choice Hospice
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
