Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dwain Dixon. She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 47 years, Sammy Starling. Other survivors include her son, Brad Starling (TK); daughter, Tracee Roslonowski (Greg); and sister, Sheila Shabazz (Malik). She had seven grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, Gregory, Jacob, Cody, Allison, and Jake. Also special to Wanda are her three nieces, Kelly Koon, Kristin Barber and Kimberly Franklin; many great nieces and nephews; her aunt, Helen Woodruff; numerous cousins; and many cherished friends.
Wanda was born February 10, 1956 in Orlando, Florida to parents Samuel Arthur Dixon and Wanna Desma Dowdy Dixon. On January 10, 1973 she married Sammy Starling, her best friend and high school sweetheart. Wanda worked for the Eagle & Phenix and Fieldcrest Cannon Mills for nearly 30 years before going back to school for pharmacy tech. She also worked for The Medical Center and finished her career at Aflac.
More than anything, Wanda was very proud of her role as a mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter. She was an avid Alabama fan, loved watching the Braves, and always attended her grandchildren’s ball games. Wanda was an extremely hard worker, friend to any and every one, and always put her family first. She loved music, gardening, her dog, Bosley, laughing at her grandchildren’s jokes, and Cozy TV.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 22, 2020 from 5pm-7pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Macon Road. This will be followed by a funeral services on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby, with David Hardwick officiating. Graveside services will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. In keeping with the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, Striffler-Hamby Mortuary will be following the guidelines set forth by the CDC and Governor Brian Kemp to maintain social distancing.
