Wanda Ann Gregory

Wanda Ann Gregory passed away Friday, January 3, 2025, surrounded by her family at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Wanda was born on October 8, 1957, in Jackson, MS to Mollie (née Gill) and Donald “Don” Gregory Sr. She was 67 years old.

Wanda was an accomplished theatrical hair stylist and wig maker, and her love of hair was evident from an early age. She started her cosmetology training as a Junior at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio. The family moved to Temple prior to her senior year where she completed her training at Tuck Beauty School while earning her diploma at Temple High School. Upon graduation, she worked at the Ponderosa Beauty Salon cutting hair and styling the hair of patients at Scott & White Hospital. It was during this time that she also became involved with the Temple Civic Theatre. Though her time on the stage was short lived, having only acted in one production, she discovered her true passion lay in helping bring characters to life through costume and hair design.

Wanda grew that passion during her studies at the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design in 1986. She moved back to Temple after graduation and worked briefly at Hair Designers, a local salon, before loading up her belongings and heading to New York City and the bright lights of Broadway. Wanda made a career of wig design and styling that spanned over 30 years, numerous productions, both on and off-Broadway, in the U.S. and other countries including Japan and Germany. Her professional highlights include Broadway productions of Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, Evita and many more. Wanda worked several seasons on Saturday Night Live where her talents were recognized with a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1996.

In 2016, Wanda decided she was through with New York winters and had amassed memories to last her a lifetime and moved back to Central Texas. She lived with her sister, Christy, and enjoyed the company of her family. Even in retirement, the call of the theatre was too great, and she returned to a familiar and beloved place – the Temple Civic Theatre. Wanda donated her time, expertise, and old Broadway wigs to the Theatre and sat on the Board of Directors. She helped with many local productions for the last several years until her passing. Her proudest creation for the Temple Civic Theatre was the hair for Jekyll and Hyde in the Summer of 2024.

Wanda never passed up an opportunity to share her passions with those she loved. She poured out her professional expertise into other up and coming stylists, making introductions and connections for them in a world where “making it” requires first “getting a break.” She was generous with her friends and family, inviting them to see her Broadway productions and giving them the most memorable backstage experiences. She returned to Texas every chance she got, bringing souvenirs from her adventures for her niece and nephews, and often prioritized those return trips to coincide with their livestock shows and sporting events.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Mollie and Don Gregory. She is survived by her siblings, Don Gregory Jr. and his wife Ruth of Round Rock, TX, Christy Gregory of Temple, TX, and Gil Gregory and his wife Elizabeth of Troy, TX; her nephews and niece, Matthew Gregory and his wife Monique of Brooksville, Florida, Sam Koonce and his wife Ann of Round Rock, TX, Dan Gregory and his wife Mandy of Leander, TX, Justin Gregory of Troy, TX, Jordan Gregory of Alexandria, VA, and Jarrett Gregory and his wife Casey of Midland, TX. Wanda is also survived by her great- nephews and nieces, Morris Killebrew, Helen Jayne Koonce, Evelyn (Evie) Gregory, and Ryder Gregory. Finally, Wanda is survived by her best friends, who are considered by the family as “Honorary Gregorys”, Blake Hammond of Jersey City, NJ, and Thom Goff of New York City, NY.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM CST at the Temple Civic Theatre at 2413 S. 13th St. Temple, Texas, 76504. A reception with family and friends will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Temple Civic Theater so that the artform Wanda loved can continue to spread joy to her community. Donations may be addressed to The Temple Civic Theatre, ATTN: Natasha Tolleson, 2413 S. 13th, Temple, Texas 76504.