Mrs. Wanda Lea Oliver Matthews, 82, died Sunday, December 18, 2022 at North MS Medical Center in Amory. She was born August 8, 1940 in Strafford, Missouri to the union of Charles Edward Oliver and Helen Eugenia Hunt Oliver. Wanda retired after twenty-five years as an Associate in the fabric department, employed by Walmart. She was a talented seamstress with a passion for quilting. She enjoyed painting and any craft she could make with her hands. Wanda loved roses and was so proud of her rose bushes. She loved traveling and lived all over the US with her family as a young girl, and carried the love of travel throughout her life. She enjoyed the beach and went as often as she could. She would get excited about searching for seashell treasures most of all.
Wanda was an independent and feisty lady who could do anything she set her mind to do. Her sneaky grin and giggle kept you guessing to just what she was up to. Whenever she was asked what she wanted to eat, doughnuts were always her first answer. Her favorite time of year was Christmas as she loved giving gifts to all her family. She loved her family above all and was always concerned about them above herself. She loved her grandchildren very much and was described by them as a kind hearted, patient, loving grandmother with the most heartwarming laugh and touch, and always knew how to cheer someone up. She was a member of Tupelo Church of God.
A celebration of Wanda’s life and homegoing will be at 2 PM, Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Judd Vowell officiating. Private burial will follow at Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12 noon to service time.
Survivors include her daughters, Judy Beckner (Marty) of Okolona, Janet Wright of Nettleton, Patricia Goff (Phillip) of Tupelo, and Jackie Pickering (Kenny) of Pontotoc; 1 brother, Bobby Oliver (Kathy) of Hattiesburg; grandchildren, Lacey Lockhart (Andy), Tom Griggs, Kelly Ryder Poutoa (Wesley), David Wright (Amanda), Heather Beane (Will), Brandy Wilkenson, Ryan Hallmark (Laura), Drew Goff (Chelsea), Emily Rayburn (Jonathan), and Alex Pickering; twenty-one great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband – Jack D. Matthews who died August 15, 1998; grandchildren, Kendall Pickering and Elijah Pickering.
Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
