Wanda Golden

Wanda Faye Golden, age 65, of Troy, Alabama, passed away, Saturday, May 1, 2021, at home surrounded by loved ones. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Wilkes officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Douglas Golden, Jr., Kirk Eigenberg, William Boyd, JJ Hand, Addison Hand, Conner Hand, Thomas H. Wright, Jr., and Wes Davis serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas H. Wright, Sr., Peter R. Wright, and Marcus Youngblood. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. at Green Hills Funeral Home.

Wanda, the youngest of four and the only girl in that bunch, was a precious gem to her clan and a secured fixture at her mother’s side. Often mischievous and muddy at her brothers’ sides, she still embraced all the fun of getting fixed-up and fancy. Wanda attended Goshen High School where she was a vibrant member of the cheerleading team, a rhythm keeper as a drummer in the band, and a deserving Campus Beauty her graduating year in 1973. She went on to attend Wallace College and obtain her associates degree. She dabbled in a handful of customer service positions around Troy, but her greatest work was as a homemaker for her family and as a missionary for the works of the Lord. She could warm souls with generous servings of her acclaimed hamburger steak and potato salad, and kindle the nostalgia of a great Southern past with a slice of huckleberry pie. Wanda busied her hands with crocheting and cross-stitching, occupied her mind with the thrill and suspense of great crime and mystery novels, tested her memory with all the current news and know of Hollywood’s elite, and exercised her heart with a great big love for her children and grandchildren. Through the church, Wanda was a longstanding youth mentor and advocate for missions abroad. And at home, she was the best Memaw around. She, undeniably, radiated the most joy when her lap was full of all her little ones’ giggles and wiggles. Wanda shared a few great and important trade secrets of being a beautiful woman along her journey, making a point to look dashing wherever she ventured, to absolutely not leave her house without her makeup applied just right (with a touch of red on the lips and shimmer of green across her lids), and to stand tall and walk proudly with confidence. She sparkled all over, but mostly within, and like Marilyn Monroe once said, “A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear.”

Mrs. Golden is survived by her husband of 29 years, Douglas M. Golden, Sr.; daughters, Brandy Hand (Jay), Whitney L. Stephens (Will), Donna Vinson (Danny), and Susan Faulkner (Ricky); son, Douglas M. Golden, Jr. (Tammy); grandchildren, Addison Hand (Cait), Conner Hand, Katie-Grace Stephens, Jayson Kaleb King, Emma Faye Boyd, Amira Senn (Cory), Noel Jordan (Justin), Leila Faulkner, Summer Davis (Wes), and Vivian Golden (Kirk); great-granddaughters, Madison and Nora; mother, Jeanette Faye Johnson; brothers, Thomas H. Wright, Sr. (Kathy), Peter R. Wright (Alberta), and by just one day, Charles Ray Wright; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, J.D. Johnson; niece, Michelle Wright; and nephews, Brian Wright and Austin O’Dell.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hospice Compassus of Troy for their attentive care and continued support. Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Golden family.