Mrs. Lawanna Burgess Wade was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. A memorial service in her honor will be held at 12pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Anniston, AL. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 10-12pm. She will be laid to rest following the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Anniston, AL.
Mrs. Lawanna Burgess Wade was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but was raised and resided in Saks, AL all her life. She graduated from Saks High School in 1977, and was a member of the Saks High School marching band as a majorette.
She studied three years at Jacksonville State University and then found her passion for cosmetology.
She graduated from New World College in 1987, and has practiced for more than 35 years, serving the Anniston and surrounding communities.
Mrs. Lawanna Burgess Wade was loved by everyone and loved her customers with all her heart. She impacted so many and made countless, precious relationships through her profession over the years. She adored each and every one of her customers and they, too, became family to her.
Anyone who knew Lawanna knew how humble and selfless she she was. She always thought of others first.
She loved hard, and did it with a gracious and loving heart. She lit up a room like no other and her laughter, smile, and humility will never be forgotten. Her love for her husband, her children, grandchildren and family was unsurmountable.
She loved to cook, laugh, and gathering with friends, and family as much as she could. She loved football and had a passion for her Auburn Tigers and Jax State Gamecocks. She absolutely loved the beach with all her soul. It was her ultimate paradise on earth.
She had a huge passion for animals of all kinds from frogs, birds, possums, her cats and of course her precious dogs Handsome, Champ, and Buddy and many more that she had throughout her lifetime.
But above all, her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ shined undeniably. She was truly an amazing Godly woman, mother, sister, and friend.
She was filled with love, laughter, mercy, kindness, beauty, and compassion like no other. A true masterpiece created by her precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that she claimed and knew all of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alabama State Representative - Gerald Ray Burgess and Lavada Ann Carter.
She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Donald Aaron Wade, her daughters; Autumn Nilsen Johnson (Mat), Lavada Wade (Kobe Woodfruff), and Ashley Arnold (Nick), her sons; Josh Nilsen (Autumn), and Justin Wade (Kimberly Waddell), her grandchildren; Layden Olson, Solomon Nilsen, Owen Nilsen, Henry Nilsen, Nick Arnold, Alexus Arnold, Rylan Wade, Ava Wade, Jackson Wade, her brothers; Ray Burgess (Jerri) and Mike Holloway, and her sisters; Bridgett Burney (Jeff) and Lisa Williamson (Tommy).
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 22, 2025 starting at 10 AM with a Chapel Service starting at 12 PM with Pastor Herb Murray and Lawanna's first cousin and best friend, Roy Evans officiating. A graveside service will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Lawanna's sons; Josh Nilsen and Justin Wade, nephews; Justin Burney and David Burgess, son in law; Kobe Woodruff, first cousin; Bruce Evans, and Honorary Pallbearer; Mike Holloway.
