“Love each other,” advised Wanda Kirksey. “Life is so short. It’s too short to hold grudges. I would just encourage people to continue to love and continue to come together.”
Wanda Kirksey truly loves those around her and does her best to help and uplift those around her. She volunteers where she is able to help show love and support in the community.
“I’m on the board with the MLK Unity Parade. We get the parade organized and lined up, and we go around to the businesses to get support. I make sure that it’s publicized,” stated Wanda. “I love everybody, and if anybody comes to me and asks me to help them, I’m willing to do anything I can for them. That’s just me.”
Her family is especially important to her, and she has some great memories with them growing up.
“I love my family: my children, grandchildren, mother, and my siblings,” expressed Wanda. “When I was young, my grandmother would take my sisters, brothers, and me to the river to swim. I couldn’t swim, but spending time with my family and grandmother is one of my favorite memories.”
Along with spending time with her family, Wanda was athletic when she was growing up and enjoyed playing softball.
“I played softball every summer,” remembered Wanda. “I played centerfield. I could never play on the bases. I guess I was afraid of getting knocked down, but I loved outfield. I played that for years.”
She did a little traveling with her family as she grew up.
“After third grade, my sister and I would fly to New York every year,” Wanda reminisced. “That’s where I spent all my summers. We went to Brooklyn to spend summers because I had an older sister there. I loved it.”
Her travels weren’t limited to just New York. Once she was married, she traveled many places as an Army wife.
“I lived in Miami for a short period. My husband was in the military,” explained Wanda. “We were stationed in El Paso, Texas, for three years until his health failed. We were getting ready to go to Korea when he got sick, but we never went.”
Wanda has always been a hard worker. In fact, she maintains two different jobs.
“I’ve worked at the courthouse since 1991,” informed Wanda. “I’ve worked with Berry and Gardener Funeral Home for 30 plus years. I’m a funeral director. I go on removals and work funerals. I work at the courthouse Monday-Friday. I’m on call at night with the funeral home, and on the weekends I work funerals.”
She loves the work families she has developed over the years.
“I love my coworkers,” proclaimed Wanda. “I love them, and working for Sally is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She’s just like my sister, and I love her and her family.”
She loves her jobs and staying busy, but she does have plans for when she decides to retire one day.
“When I retire one day, I plan to move to Oklahoma,” declared Wanda. “My middle son lives in Oklahoma, and I visit there every year. I love it there, so one day when I retire I’m going to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma and spend my last days with my son there.”
For now, she will just continue to love those around her and do her best to help everyone that she can. Anyone who comes in her office at the courthouse can enjoy receiving wise advice and a gentle smile from her.
If you would like to nominate someone for Person of the Week, contact Brittney Mangum at 601-776-3726.
