Wanda Mae (Wise) Mcpherson

Wanda Mae McPherson was born to the late Robert Leslie and Denzil Fern Wise in Bridgeport Texas on January 5th, 1942. She was the fourth, and favorite, or so she thought, of twelve children. She accepted Christ at the age of eight at Mt. Lebanon Camp in Cedar Hill, Texas. Wanda was a 1960 graduate of Irving High School and a longtime resident of Irving, Texas.
She was a member of AA celebrating 35 years of sobriety. In 1991, she married her best friend and AA companion Edward Lawrence McPherson, also known as “Papa.” He was her rock. She loved dancing the night away with friends from the group, family gatherings, eating her mother’s peanut butter cake, camping trips with family and friends, Outlaw’s Bar B Que, Terry Lynn’s potato salad and southern gospel music.
The Lord’s faithfulness and kindness were so evident in the last six months as He prepared her for her homegoing. Wanda celebrated the end of life as joyfully as she lived and passed surrounded by her loving family, with hymns, psalms, and prayers at the age of 80.
Wanda was blessed with a large and loving family. She is preceded in death by her son, Kevin Smith; sisters Emma Jo, Jennie, Peggy, Marie; brothers Clinton and Jimmy Wayne. Left to cherish her memory are husband Edward, her children Ricky Frick and wife Alicia, Buddie Smith and wife Mary, Stacy Smith and wife Cindy, Tammy Cranfill and husband Robert; sister Glenda McRae; sister-in-law Penny Wise; brothers Robert Wise and wife Zelma, Larry Wise and wife Melinda, Roger Wise and wife Awhawanna, Ronnie Wise; and many precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As well as many others who knew and claimed her as a second mom.
The family wishes to thank all of those who have prayed for mom and our family, as well as Vitas Hospice for their excellent care and support over the past few months.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 11:00am in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Irving (403 S. Main St. Irving) with the Reverend John Durham officiating.