Wanda met the love of her life, Samuel, in Houston at The North Houston Theater. The two dated for nearly a year before they married on November 3, 1961.
Wanda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and sister. Some of her favorite past times included cooking and spending quality time with her family. She enjoyed caring for her home and was an excellent housekeeper and an amazing cook. When she cooked, she always cooked enough for an army, no matter how many she was serving.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dorothy Aldridge; brother, Richard Dean Aldridge and son, Troy Wayne Vaden.
She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Samuel Vaden; son, Rodney and wife Jeanette; grandsons, Todd Vaden, Jonathan Vaden and Dalton Grissom; granddaughter, Micah Lira and husband Jason; granddaughter Danielle Vaden; great grandson, Beaux Wyatt Lira; sister, Ann Carr; nephew Craig Aldridge and wife Christy; nephew; David Carr and wife Renay; niece, Tammy Elliott and husband Bruce as well as a host of other cherished family and friends.
Special thanks to Craig for helping his Uncle Sam take care of his aunt Wanda in her final days.
A visitation for Wanda will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service is scheduled to follow and begin promptly at 11:00 AM followed by burial at Brookside Memorial Park.
