Wanda Price Buchanan
Wanda Price Buchanan, 95, of Crystal Springs, died Saturday, July 24, 2010.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 26, from 5-8 p.m. at Stringer Family Funeral Home and from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs. Services will be held Tuesday, July 27 at 2 p.m. with interment to follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery.
She lived over ninety-five years in the family home, the place she loved surrounded by her flowers, her books, her animals, wonderful caregivers, family and church close enough to enjoy the daily chimes.
Born in Newton. Iowain 1915 to parents Kate and Tommy Goodhue, Wanda came south upon her graduation from Iowa State University. A chance encounter with a former classmate in Chicago led her to transition to a warmer climate, where she headed to Memphis for a job. There she used her Home Economics degree to demonstrate kitchen appliances sold by the Southern United Ice Company. Her future husband, Douglas Price was the manager, thus a merger of north and south in a marriage that produced four children: Betty Wilson of Dallas, TX, Lucie Lawson of Santa Fe, NM, Cathie Price, Hattiesburg and Bill Price, Crystal Springs. Of great joy to Wanda was the addition of virtually a fourth daughter, Betty Walters Price, Bill’s wife, and two son-in laws John Wilson and Eric Lawson. She took great pride in her grandchildren and their families: John and Amy Wilson, Jr. and their daughters Peyton and Landon, Brad Wilson, Lance Lawson, Jenni and Geoff Manfre, Julie Beasley and her son David, and Doug and Jenny Price. Wanda was predeceased by siblings Dr. Lyle D. Goodhue and Irene Leck Gold. Her endless love extended to her nieces and nephews: Diane Price Schnorr, Nancy Galas, Lois Ann Coltrain, Charlie and Jack Goodhue, Lura Pierce, Byron and Bob Price. Of great important to Wanda was her extended family—The Walters… headed by Regan and Nell.
Besides raising a family, Wanda ran the family ice cream business, The Dairy Freeze, made famous in a watercolor by Mississippi artist Wyatt Waters. She was a teacher for many years at Peoples Junior High in Jackson. Wanda felt that life should be lived fully and joyously, that other people (and animals) in whatever need should be treated with kindness and love and that Christianity was the only pathway. She did this with a natural and easy style that was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was knowledgeable in her understanding of the scriptures, seeking deepening meaning though difficult Bible courses like Explorers, and sharing her insights through teaching Sunday School well into her nineties. One cannot forget the 1000 sugar cookies she baked each Christmas to deliver to her Sunday School members and friends.
Her home was a gathering place, everyone always arriving at the back door; a front door bell ring signaled a stranger. Her kitchen was the focal point for many memories of friends visiting, family dinners, laughter, love and wonderful food—at all times our Mother truly the centerpiece.
As a retired teacher, Wanda met a very special man, Ben Buchanan of Vicksburg who became her second husband. They had wonderful times traveling the world,especially important to Mother was their visit to the Holy Land. After a busylife focused almost exclusively on others, these ten years were “her time” tofulfill some of her dreams.
Wanda’s life of spiritual grace began in Memphis where she was baptized by the legendary pastor, Dr. R. G. Lee. She truly lived her faith, extending herself to others, projecting a positive attitude, and showing exuberance in living every day to the fullest. She always proclaimed “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 609, Crystal Springs, MS 39059.