Wanda Nell (Spradlin) Etheridge began her eternal life in Glory on April 11, 2019, from Hospice of East Texas. Wanda was born October 16, 1931, in Edgewood, Texas to Arlie Lee and Dessa (Prestridge) Spradlin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Etheridge; her brother, A.D. Spradlin; a sister, Erlene Webster; a great-granddaughter, Bobbi Rogers and a daughter-in-law, Kay (McAtee) Etheridge. She is survived by her two daughters, Kay Rogers and husband, Danny, Barbara Dawson and husband, Ray; her son Danny Etheridge; five grandchildren: Craig Rogers and wife, Stephanie, Brandy Carnevale and husband, Bryan, Christi Setser and husband, Josh, James Christopher Morton and wife, Jessie, and Joseph Chitty; also by her eleven great-grandchildren: Margaret Smith, Melanie McClung, Joshua Setser, Solomon Setser, Caleb Setser, Kaylee Setser, Bailey Morton, James Morton, Connor Waitkus, Atee Carnevale and Elliana Carnevale, and sister, Maxine Workman.
She worked side by side with her husband for most of their lives, first farming until around 1957 when they decided to take a big chance on opening a drive in grocery at the intersection of Highways 243 and 198 called Etheridge Drive In (now known as Down Home Café). They put in very long hours there for seven days a week for many years. As the business grew, they added feed and fertilizer and the business became quite successful.
After retiring from that business, Wanda worked as a substitute mail carrier for a while, then rejoined Horace in the used car business.
After her husband's death and experiencing declining health, she became a resident at Country Place Senior Living and there, became inspired to write poetry. She wrote over 100 poems which her children had published as a keepsake. She was also instrumental in organizing a daily Bible study.
She never thought herself to be talented, but she was very intelligent and could do most anything she attempted. Painting, ceramics and knitting are among some of the crafts she loved. The most important thing to Wanda was that every child, grandchild and great-grandchild and every friend come to know Jesus as their personal savior and serve Him with all their hearts.
There will be a huge hole in the hearts of her family and friends until we see her again.
Funeral services will be 2 pm Monday, April 15, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Canton with Dr. Mike Roberson and Dr. J. Michael Burns officiating. Interment will follow in Haven of Memories.
Pallbearers will be Craig Rogers, Joseph Chitty, Josh Setser, Caleb Setser, Joshua Setser, Solomon Setser, Bryan Carnevale, Logan McClung, Tyler Smith and James Morton.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
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