Wanda Whitney Fincher

Wanda Whitney Fincher, 81, of Prescott, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Prescott. She was born July 24, 1939, to Willie Jo (Billie Billings) and Woodroe Whitney in Blackwater, a farming community south of Manila.

Wanda attended school at Blackwater, Bragg City, Deering, Rector and graduated from Manila High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and her master’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University.

After her children were in high school, in 1977 Wanda started teaching school at Cale Public School, in Cale. Then in 1978 she continued to teach in the Prescott School District for 21 years. She loved teaching. She loved the opportunity of sharing and inspiring and being inspired by students for 22 years. She was selected as Arkansas 1992 Teacher of the Year for IBM and Technology & Learning. She was the first teacher that started ALE Program in Prescott School District.

Wanda was a member of First Baptist Church of Prescott for over 50 years. She was the church organist for 15 years. She loved the Lord and cherished her Sunday school class. She also was a frequent giver of “free” Sunday School lessons wherever she was.

She loved her children and grandchildren. She loved greeting them as they came through the back door for a short visit or to make and eat cookies. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband James “Jimmy” W. Fincher and granddaughter Jami Godwin.

Wanda is survived by her two daughters, Dee Godwin of Hope and Jo Beth Glass and husband Wayne of Prescott; son, Kenny Fincher and wife Mary Beth of Hope; seven loving grandchildren, Steven Godwin of Hope, Keaton Fincher of Hope, Kaylee (Kade) Ford of Spring Hill, Shelly (Jordan) Wright of Prescott, Dusty Glass of Prescott, Landon Cross of Hope and Drake Godwin Fincher of Hope; one sister, Maxine Whitney Stegall and husband Earl of Jackson, Miss.; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Fincher Curtis of Little Rock; and special friend Mike Godwin.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in honor of Wanda to the First Baptist Church of Prescott, Mission Building Fund.

Funeral service will be 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at First Baptist Church Prescott with interment in DeAnn Cemetery. Bro. Frank Henson will officiate under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home of Prescott.

We also invite you to express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private Letters of Love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.