Wanda A. Graham

Wanda Arlene Graham, 79 of Zephryhills, Florida, formerly of Eckerman went to be with her Lord on Thursday, November 3 surrounded by her family at Florida Hospital of Zephryhills after a couragous battle with cancer.. Wanda was born December 10,1931 in Trout Lake to Thomas and Iva Pearl (McMillan) McCarry. On June 7,1949 she married Leo Graham, and he died July 1,1996. They made their home in Eckerman,MI. before retiring to Florida. She is survived by one son, Honorable William Clayton Graham of St.Ignace; daughters, Cindy (Dave) Reed of Paradise; Jayne Graham of Big Rapids; special daughter in law, Betty Graham of Eaton Rapids; son in law, Gene Ballew of Traverse City; thirteen grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Her close friend, Bernie McCabe was at her side the entire time she fought this bout of cancer. She is also survived by sisters. Alice Dell, Hesperia; Rosella Prater, Garnet; Florence Hegelmire, Ozark; Natalie Mosher, Haslett,MI; Brett DeWeese, Pleasant Lake,MI; Patsy Kurtz, Gahanna, Ohio; and a brother, Michael (Joann) McCarry, Frankenmuth. Beside raising her five children, Wanda worked for the Department of Natural Resources for 23 years, first in the office at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and then later as a Park Ranger. She retired in 1992. Wanda was involved in 4-H, community plays, helping with Bingo; a member of the Red Hat Scoiety, and enjoyed trips with her family and friends. Whenever anyone met her and spent time with her, they remembered her as happy, fun-loving and helpful. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She was preceeded in death besides her husband,and parents, a daughter, Mary Ballew and son Joseph Graham, brothers, Herbert and Peter, and a sister, Violet Shipley. Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesaday, November 8 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paradise with Fr. Frank Ricca officiating. Visitation will be held from11 am to service time. Burial will be in Our Lady of Victory Cemetery beside her husband. A memorial service will also be held in Zephryhills on November 17. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home, St.Ignace who assisted with arrangements.

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Wanda A. Graham

November 3, 2011