Wanda Lea Morgan
Wanda S. Morgan, 96, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. She was born on January 7, 1929, to the late Arlie and Virgie Moyers Simmons in Franklin, WV, she was raised on her grandparents’ farm. At an early age, she was plowing fields and tending to the livestock. “We always had plenty of food” she’d often say. Carmel icing was her favorite; her grandmothers had baked a cake with caramel icing for company visiting. When she went to get the cake, she was horrified to find all the icing was gone!
It was a two-mile walk to and from school. Snow was abundant in winter, and she was allowed to ride a horse to a certain point but was warned not to take the horse through snow drifts, as it could break a leg. At this point in the story, she would look at us and ask if she needed to tell us what she did. Our response would quickly be, “Did the horse break its leg?” She’d say, “NO!” Having an adventurous early life, she ended up in Roanoke and married Melvin T. Morgan, Sr. on January 11, 1955.
She was very involved in the lives of her children’s activities when they were growing up. She volunteered a lot of time at the Virginia Heights Baptist Church, either as a leader or assistant in the Girl Scouts, RAs, and GAs, as well as many outings. She began working for Kroger and then later started a career in Real Estate for many years. One humorous story was while showing a house she thought the door was stuck at a bathroom, only to find the homeowner occupying it. Later, she joined her husband in his family roofing business. She went on to manage John T. Morgan Roofing and Sheet Metal until her retirement. She and her husband enjoyed traveling with friends, regular card games, and dinners with her family. After losing sight and hearing became a challenge, she never lost her love to do for others, offering words of encouragement and wisdom. She was loved by family, friends, and neighbors. Her children were often told what a sweet lady she was.
The family wishes to thank Katrina, Tasha, Becky, and her neighbors the Dean’s and the Fulcomer’s for providing help and comfort as mobility became a challenge for her.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by an infant son, Billy; grandson, Christopher Shoup; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Bailey.
Left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Carol Sink (Dewey), and Cynthia M. Shelor (Barry); son, Melvin T. Morgan, Jr. (Debbie); sister, Virginia Wiesen; brother, Guy Moyer, Jr. (Joan); grandchildren, Tracy Stottlemeyer (Tony), Melvin T. Morgan, III, Matthew Shelor (Katie), Whitney Christian; ten great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; four nephews; and her beloved fur baby, Abby. Her family sends her love and blessings in her heavenly home; she will be missed.
Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem on Friday, May 30, 2025.
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, 3591 Windsor Road, SW, Roanoke, VA, 24018, with Rev. Jennifer Fletcher officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke, VA. Friends may begin to gather and greet the family after 10 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 4751 Cove Rd. NW, Roanoke, VA, 24017, or to Windsor Hills United Methodist Church where she was a member, at the address provided above.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
