Wanda attended grade school and high school in Buffalo, Texas, where she was active in a variety of activities, including music and volleyball. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she attended business college and worked at the downtown Foley’s while living with her aunt.
It was during this time that she met her future husband, James D. “Buddy” Henry, while working at Heinke & Pellot grocery store. They were married on June 6, 1949, in Buffalo, Texas, and had three children. The couple lived in the Spring Branch area before moving to Pasadena, Texas, where Wanda worked for Second Baptist Church of Pasadena and Clearpoint Church until her retirement in 1995.
After losing her husband, Buddy, in 1983, Wanda later met Pastor Meredith Hair, whom she married on August 3, 1996. She was widowed again in 2002 and remained single for the rest of her life.
Wanda’s love for music began at a very young age. She often sang in her church, on local radio stations, and in school and church choirs. She was a member of the Inspirations gospel singing group at Second Baptist Church. In addition to her passion for music, Wanda was an accomplished seamstress, a talented gardener, and an avid crafter.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dorris Jones; her mother, Zula Jones; her sister, Helen Lockey; her brother, Ray Jones; her daughter, Loretta Sue Eixman; and her stepson-in-law, Dion Ainsworth.
Wanda is survived by her son, James Henry; her daughter, Rhonda Allen; her stepdaughter, Jody Ainsworth; her stepsons, Jim Hair and John Hair; her grandchildren, Alan Eixman, Steve Eixman, Jason Henry, Adam Henry, Shawn Allen, Randy Allen, and Julie Reed; and her step-grandsons, Caleb Ainsworth, Jared Ainsworth, and Ben Ainsworth. She is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren.
