Surrounded by her family and in her home on Bethel Road in Hartselle, Wanda Faye McCaghren West passed from this life on Sunday, April 21. While her passing leaves those of us who loved her feeling heavy-hearted, we celebrate the impact that knowing her has had on our lives.
Visitation for Mrs. West will be held on Thursday, April 25, at Enon Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service, which will be conducted by Steve Ledbetter and Tim Keenum, will follow visitation. Interment will be in the family plot at Enon. Peck Funeral Home will be directing.
Wanda Faye McCaghren was born in Lawrence County to Robert Darty (Bob) McCaghren and Vicy Lillian Borden McCaghren on December 12, 1938. She was preceded in death by both parents, and she was the last surviving sibling of seven.
Mrs. West was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Tonya Wallace Barnett.
Wanda earned degrees at John C. Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At Calhoun, she served as a Warhawk student ambassador and participated on the debate team. Earning a Master’s Degree in Adolescent Counseling at UAB enabled Wanda to practice professionally what she had done in an unofficial capacity most of her life…she worked with and guided young people. Her effervescent personality and genuine love for young people made her a natural mentor.
In her younger years, Wanda coached the Hillbillies, a Hartselle girls’s youth league softball team. She cheered aspiring pageant contestants and judged area competitions.She participated in Hartselle’s Little Theater. She was also an avid supporter of Decatur’s annual Spirit of America, especially the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant, which she loved.
Wanda was a member of Enon Baptist Church most of her life. During the years she lived at Auburn and on Lake Martin, she worshipped at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville. She worked with the youth at both churches, combining Biblical instruction with memory-making activities. For example, occasionally, she would allow the youth group at Enon to “borrow” a case of toilet paper from the supply closet and roll some member’s yard. Those who participated, still enjoy reminiscing about some of their youth group adventures.
During the years Wanda lived in Auburn, she served as house mother for two fraternities, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Theta Chi. She also owned Mom’s Party Shop, and even ran for mayor. Though she was not successful in her bid to become mayor, she was known and loved by untold numbers of Auburn students, especially those she hired to work at Mom’s. Rule number one for anyone applying to work at Mom’s was: Applicants must be enrolled at AU. Many of these young men and women, who have gone on to achieve successful careers, have continued to keep in touch with Mom.
Wanda embraced the philosophy that although pain is inevitable, misery is optional. Even as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis ravaged her body, she remained joyful and optimistic, never succumbing to bitterness or complaints. Instead, she smiled when she recalled the days when she had played league tennis in Auburn, had played softball with the Tomboys in Decatur, and had worn her own pair of skates when she went to Phillips Skating Rink.
Wanda’s survivors include her husband of 37 years, Philip Holk West and two sons, Tony Wallace and Terry Wallace (Robyn).
Surviving grandchildren are Tera Wallace Moon (Joey); Ryan Wallace (Ashley); and Jessica Wallace.
Surviving great-grandchildren are Makenzie Barnett Robertson (Brett); Pearl Moon; Byron Penn; Grace Wallace; and Ian Wallace.
Wanda is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews whose lives she has enriched immeasurably. She could find humor in almost any circumstance, even when she pulled off her shoes while watching a movie at the Princess Theater and had to walk barefooted up Second Avenue in Decatur because someone seated near her had taken her shoes.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Johnson, Philip Johnson, Greg Johnson, Joey Moon, Ryan Wallace, and Rob Burt.
Peck Funeral Home
