Mrs. Wansley was born in Tallapoosa, GA, on May 17, 1914, the daughter of the late Rev. Charles M. and Florence Corinne Dunaway. She attended Decatur schools and graduated from Asbury College. She lived in Chicago, IL, New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta before moving to Rome in 1988. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Reuben Montgomery, to whom she was married Nov. 29, 1934, and her second husband, Hal Brantley Wansley, to whom she was married July 9, 1966. She was also preceded by brothers, Roy Salisbury Dunaway and Charles Monroe Dunaway, and sisters, Sarah Dunaway Robertson, Mary Dunaway Barnes and Betty Dunaway Fossett.
Mrs. Wansley was an active member in Methodist churches throughout her life and served in leadership roles in Methodist Women’s Society and United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Rome First United Methodist Church, the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class and had served as wedding coordinator. She was a member of the Rome Symphony Guild, the Asbury College Alumni Association and the Rhododendron Woman’s Club. She served 16 years as a trustee at Reinhardt University until 1992. She was most recently an active community member and role model at Horizon Bay. A true lady, she was also a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and angel to many.
She is survived by her children, Kim Montgomery Simmons (Wade), Kosciusko, MS, Karen Montgomery Hilliard, Atlanta, and Katie Montgomery Dempsey (Lynn), Rome, Hal Brantley Wansley, Jr., Carrboro, NC, James Wesley Wansley (Candy), Knoxville, TN, and John David Wansley (Ann), Florence, SC; grandchildren, John Simmons, Jean Simmons Martinez, Billy Kennedy, Jennifer Kennedy Talley, Gaines Dempsey, Corie Dempsey Swan, Hal Wansley, III, Hollis Wansley, Wes Wansley, Mac Wansley, Dave Wansley and Elizabeth Wansley; 17 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved caregiver and companion, Sondra Mosley.
A memorial service was held Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Rome with the Rev. Larry Caywood and Dr. James Mooneyhan officiating. The family received friends following the memorial service in the Wilder Center at the church.
An interment service was held later Thursday at the Carnesville United Methodist Church Cemetery, Carnesville, GA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 202 E. Third Ave., Rome, GA 30161 or to Heyman HospiceCare, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 30162-0163.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18