Wanda Lavon Durham

Wanda Lavon Durham (nee’ Thompson), 85, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2024. She was born in Santa Cruz, California on May 28th, 1938. She grew up in the agricultural valleys of Watsonville and Salinas before coming to Phoenix. She is preceded in death by Ronald D. Durham, whom she was married to in 1956 as well as her son Ronald Charles.

Wanda was very close to her sister, Linda Fay Gentry, who passed away in 2006 and two brothers, Gary Leroy Baylock who passed in 1998, and James V. McClendon in 2014. She is survived by her brother, Bob Blaylock of Mesa, AZ.

Wanda raised a family of 5 children, Ronald, Timothy, Sandy (Pedraza), James & Scott. She leaves 18 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren behind to honor her memory. Her legacy as a loving mother, generous grandmother who passed along a strong Christian ethic is secure in our memories and our hearts. Her elegant yet passionate love for her family is an example set for us all to live up to.

Wanda was a woman of service, leading her groups at the local LDS church over 40 years and working several years on the Cartwright district school board in Phoenix, AZ.

Among her traditions was cooking a perfect beef roast every Sunday from 1958 to the early 2000’s. Our memories of those Sunday dinners deserve to be mentioned, as it was a part of the foundation that she built her family upon.

A private family service to be held at Chapel of the Chimes in Glendale, AZ.