Wanda L. (Wilcox) Alexander

Wanda L. Alexander, 81, formerly of Sayre and East Smithfield, PA, passed away on Wednesday evening October 30, 2024, at RPH Personal Care Home in Towanda, with family and beloved nursing staff by her side. 

Born on February 9, 1943, Wanda Loraine, she was the daughter of Homer and Mabel (Kitchin) Wilcox.  She was raised in East Smithfield, and was a graduate of S.R.U. High School Class of 1961. 

In her early life, Wanda worked at Paper Magic in Troy, PA, as a machine operator and there she met her lifelong friend Barbara Putnam. Wanda was employed for many years as a Supervisor at Sayre Lingerie where she worked until its closing in 1992. Afterwards she worked for a brief time at Corning Inc. Wanda then bravely decided to embrace her finest talents. She offered seamstress and alteration services when she opened Country Fabrics, a fully supplied fabric, pattern and notion shop at home. She truly was an accomplished seamstress. She made fashionable clothing and formal clothing for herself, her daughter and later, her granddaughters. Wanda showed some of her other talents by furniture upholstery and restoration and skillfully re-covered seats in her late husband Delos’ restored vehicles. Wanda enjoyed updating and decorating her spaces and was skilled at hanging wallpaper, painting and accessorizing her home. She will be fondly remembered for keeping a lovely home. 

Later in life she and her husband Jerry moved to the Senior Airport Community in Sayre, and even in her retirement she still enjoyed working and did so at Options located in Sayre. 

Wanda was a lovely woman who enjoyed family picnics, and lived her life with an elevated sense of personal style. She will always be remembered looking fully put together; a lovely sweater or embroidered sweatshirt many of which were bequeathed to her grandchildren, pretty jewelry, her jeans, “sheers” and a cute pair of shoes. Wanda loved to play games, she played regularly with friends, with her beloved niece Dawn and family, around the table and also on her computer. She loved Yahtzee, Nintendo, Phase 10, Dice, and so much more. One of quick smarts, she was always able to calculate scores so quickly in her head. 

She will be missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her beloved dog Sparky, along with many relatives and dear friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Mabel Wilcox; by her husband Delos L. Vinson of 27 years in 1989; by her second husband Gerald “Jerry” L. Alexander of 25 years in 2019; and by grandson and great grandson Derek Marshall and Maddox Marshall 2019. 

Wanda leaves behind daughter Sheri McHenry (Edwin VanDeventer), Troy, PA, son Dana (Kathy)  Vinson, Athens, PA; grandchildren, Darris Vinson, Chemung, NY, Melissa Vinson, Nichols, NY,  Shannon (Matthew) Lord, Laceyville, PA, Ryan McHenry (fiancé Adam Gilson), Lebanon, PA; Sheridan  “Dannie” McHenry, Mildred, PA; great-grandchildren: Matisyn Lord, Balloo Sauerhafer, Hayden Lord,  Davyn Vinson, Miriam Sauerhafer, Laedyn Byczkowski, Max Sauerhafer, Gannon Byczkowski,  Brooklyn McHenry, Roman Gilson, and another she was looking forward to meeting in May of 2025. Sister: Virginia Bell, Horseheads, NY; Brother and Sister-in-law: George (Mary) Wilcox, East Smithfield, PA; Brother-in-laws and Sister-in-laws: Ned Dale Vinson, Athens, PA, Ethel Anderson, TN, Linda (Kevin) Polovick, Sayre, PA; Garth (Carol) Vinson; KY; Merle Merritt, MI; and many beloved nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

Survived also by Jerry’s children: Victoria (Carson) Bumbalough, TN; Andrew (Cindy) Alexander, TN, Geraldean (Deana) and (Billy) Wallace, TN, and their families; Also survived by his sister Kathy (Joe) Onofre; and his brothers: Vern Kitchen and George Kitchen. 

Wanda was preceded in death by her sisters: Vivian Wilcox, Esther (Vince) Cooper; Eleanor (Gerald) Phillips; Brother-in-law: Richard Bell; Brother-in-laws and Sister-in-laws: James Vinson, Audrey Puglisi; DeWayne (Marilyn) Vinson; Bonnie Merritt; Dolores (James) Henry; Brother-in-law: Robert Anderson; Sister-in-law: Shirley Vinson; and Timothy Alexander. 

Friends and family are invited to call on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Rev. Linda Rogers, officiating. 

Private interment will be in Union Cemetery, East Smithfield, PA, next to her late husbands at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Personal Care Home at Guthrie RPH c/o ACTIVITIES FUND, 603 William Street, Towanda, PA 18848, in loving appreciation to Amber Cook, or Guthrie Hospice Towanda, 421 Tomahawk Road, Towanda, PA 18848. We appreciate the compassionate care for mom and our family.

For those wishing to offer condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.loweryfuneralhome.com

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