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Wanda Whitenack Vest

June 25, 1925 - November 07, 2024

Wanda Elizabeth Whitenack Vest, of Check, Virginia, born June 25, 1925, passed away at her home on November 7, 2024. She was 99 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents Chester Whitenack and Gracie Vest Whitenack, her husband, James Bernard Vest, sisters Claudine Conner and Hazel Austin, her son-in-law, Jesse Jackson, and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Vest. She is survived by her three children, Carol Jackson of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert Bery Vest and wife Mary of Bent Mountain, VA, John Vest of Floyd, VA, and her brother Mason Whitenack and wife Charlotte of Troutville, VA. She has nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild due in January 2025. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews.

Wanda had an interesting life in her 99 years. She went to a one room school, Double Springs School, in the early grades. She loved school but said she had difficulty with her hearing and couldn't whisper so she spent time "in the corner" for talking in class. She wanted a high school education and to do that she had to walk two miles through the fields carrying a lantern to catch the bus to go to school. She wore boots and jodhpurs to keep her legs warm on her walks and started a fashion trend in her school. After graduation, she worked in a local factory and earned enough money to buy a bedroom suite that is still in her home. During WWII she worked in Roanoke, VA at Norfolk and Western Railway and learned to use a Burrus calculator. While doing her job she found a mistake in the coal shipment calculations that saved Norfolk and Western $2,000. After WWII, she married Bernard Vest and moved back to Check in Floyd County and they started a family and had a dairy farm. Over the years she worked in local factories and then retired from Skyline Manor in Floyd where she worked in dietetics and in housekeeping. She was always ready for fun and participated in skits and shows with other employees to entertain the residents.

Wanda and Bernard raised their family in a strong Christian home. They went to church together and participated in church activities. Wanda loved her family very much. She said her proudest accomplishment was her three children. She was an excellent wife and mother and later grandmother and great grandmother. She was a great cook known for her biscuits, coconut cakes, applesauce cakes, pies, macaroni and cheese, and lasagna. She enjoyed sewing, especially quilts.

She made large quilts and then baby quilts when the grandchildren and great grandchildren came along. Wanda loved reading and read the Bible every day and was always reading a library book or a book her daughter, Carol, had sent her. Wanda was loved by family, friends, and neighbors. She was kind to everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Special thanks go out to Wanda's granddaughter, Amie, and her husband, Brian, and their children, Abby, Katelyn, and Caleb, who provided loving care for Wanda/Granny in her home during her final years. Also, thank you to caregivers Robin and Michelle, and Carilion Hospice workers and Good Samaritan Hospice workers for the care they provided. A graveside service officiated by Pastor Jerry Hylton will be held at Iddings Cemetery in Check, VA at 11am on November 11, 2024. Funeral arrangements provided by Gardner's Funeral Home.


Guest book

Karen Jones

Roanoke Virginia
November 08, 2024

Aunt Wanda, was always a favorite, she and Uncle Bernard would often stop by our house to take me to church with them.I always loved when we went to her house, after swinging in her giant swing I was treated to some homemade pickles. Sometimes Carol and I would play the pipe organ or play with her homemade oversized Raggedy Ann dolls. I don't think I 've had an adult conversation with Aunt Wanda that she didn't mention the Lord. So I can't be sad she is gone because I know she is finally where she was meant to be.... home.


Gary vrst

Richmond
November 09, 2024

I had a really bad habit of showing up at mealtime. Nothing could match Aunt Wanda's fried cabbage and yellow squash.


Edwina Martin

Riner
November 09, 2024

Sending love and prayers to the family. May you find peace in knowing she's now with God.


Douglas & Karen Sewell

Willis, VA
November 09, 2024

Our condolences to this large and loving family.


Jeanette

Floyd
November 10, 2024

Remember the fun times and your mom's unique laugh! My sympathy to all, Jeanette


Ruth Elliott

Virginia
November 11, 2024

Ms. Wanda sounds like like such a great Lady! This caught my eye, when I saw that she was nearly 100 yrs old. My own Grandmother lived to be 99 yrs and 8months old, before passing in 2017. Iris Poff. As I read about Ms. Wanda, she reminded me so much of my Grandmother, only to find out that she too worked at Skyline Manor for many years. My Grandmother worked there as a Housekeeper all those years too! They must have been friends! May God Bless all the Family and those who knew and loved Ms. Wanda Vest. I am certain that she was welcomed into Heaven by a very old friend, that she once worked with!


Lucky and Bo Patsel

Elliston VA.
November 11, 2024

We will miss her so very much, she was a precious Angel sent from Heaven, a true blessing to all that met her. She is a daughter of our Heavenly Father And here on earth: A Wife A Mother A Sister A Daughter A Grandmother A Great Grandmother A Great Great Grandmother And a true Friend She brought love and joy to everyone she met❤️ 💕We know for a fact she so happy right now 💕Flying high with the Angels 💕


Cassandra West

Dugspur Va
November 12, 2024

I loved Wanda. She was so special. When I was delivering to her, she always bragged about her family. She was so proud of her grand daughters. She told me many stories and shared so many recipes with me. I will miss her.