Wanda Carraway McGuinn Decatur, Georgia Obituary

Wanda Carraway McGuinn

Wanda Carraway McGuinn of Tucker, GA died Aug. 9, 2019, peacefully at home at the age of 90. Born May 19, 1929, in Felda, FL to Curtis and Jesse Carraway, Wanda was an infant when her father died. She was raised by her mother and father’s brother, Leslie Carraway, the only Daddy she ever knew in a loving home in Vero Beach, FL. Wanda enjoyed small town life with her friends and family, learning to drive before she had a license, working at the local drug store, and attending church regularly even when others in the family did not. Despite growing up during the Great Depression she felt blessed. In 1946 Wanda met Claude B. McGuinn, a handsome young WW II veteran, at a high school football game. Claude was a lineman for AT&T and they began to write letters and court long-distance. They married on Sept. 3, 1947, when Wanda was 18 years old. A year later settled in the Atlanta area where they raised six sons and one daughter. Also in 1946, she attended a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Cleveland, OH, and in 1961, after her own in-depth study of the Scriptures, she dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized. With so many children, Wanda’s life was extremely busy and left little time for her own interests. After having been a full-time wife and mother for 22 years she went to work for Southern Bell and later Texaco. At age 60 she retired from a career at Siemens as a key punch operator. After retirement Wanda was free to pursue other interests. She loved to travel, read, attend her Christian meetings and associate with her friends despite her physical limitations. Wanda and Claude were married nearly 64 years, with Claude preceding her in death exactly eight years to the day. Wanda was also preceded in death by three sons, Curtis Barry McGuinn, Steve Allan McGuinn, and Claude B. “Mac” McGuinn, Jr., as well as one granddaughter, Katherine Ann McGuinn. Wanda is survived by one brother, Leon Leslie Carraway (Pearl); three of her sons, James Leslie (Billie), Michael Chris (Pamela), and Jeffrey Brett, as well as her daughter Melinda Susan (Harry); daughter-in-law Ruth Ann; and a host of other relatives. She was very proud of her 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Affectionately known as “Diz” by her husband, “Mama” by her children, and “Grandmommie” by her grandchildren and dozens of others, Wanda was the grande dame of the McGuinn family & her loss leaves a hole in our hearts. Her sweet, sassy, and Southern personality was one of a kind. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. by Brother Russell Titmus. A private family burial will be held on Thursday morning.
May 19, 1929 - August 9, 201905/19/192908/09/2019
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Dallas B. Townsend
August 3, 2020
I didn't get to know Wanda until sometime in the 1970's, but found her to be a very gracious and loving lady cousin of mine. During the last few years of her life, I always tried to call her on her birthday to wish her a great. Sometimes I was a day or so late, but she... Continue Reading
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Maya
August 13, 2019
Peace Lily

Peace Lily was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Melissa Wright
August 13, 2019
Simple Sorrows

Simple Sorrows was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Tribute Store
August 12, 2019
Blue Skies

Blue Skies was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Randy,Susan, Joy, Billy, Pitty Pat, Mark, John Huff, Icie
August 12, 2019
Secret Garden

Secret Garden was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Dallas & Doris Townsend
August 11, 2019
Fond Memories

Fond Memories was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Dallas B. Townsend
August 11, 2019
Wanda was my Cousin and was the third oldest cousin of our generation. So far she lived longer than any of her cousins from the Townsend side of her family I only got to know her well about 40 years ago. But have really enjoy knowing that I had a cousin that was such ... Continue Reading
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James Buchanan
August 11, 2019
Love of Pink

Love of Pink was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Tribute Store
August 11, 2019
Fond Memories

Fond Memories was purchased for the family of Wanda Carraway McGuinn.

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Karen Collins
August 11, 2019
Wanda Mae Carraway McGuinn was my role model. She was my mother’s oldest sister and I have idolized her for as long as I can remember. I wanted a big family like she had. I wanted to dress like her, smile like her, speak softly like her and fry chicken like her. I hav... Continue Reading