Wanda Willis Cain

With glory to God, Wanda Willis Cain of Gainesville entered into eternal life February 16, 2021.

Born on May 27th, 1940, in Bremen, Georgia, she began a life of love and service to the Lord Jesus Christ, which she maintained until meeting him face-to-face.  She spent her formative years in Tallapoosa, Georgia, and graduated from Tallapoosa High School.  She was also a graduate of Truett-McConnell College and retired from Stephens County Board of Education.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Tatum Wayne Cain, PhD, and her parents, Calvin Thomas Willis and Alta Merritt Willis of Tallapoosa, Georgia, along with other precious family members from Haralson County.

Wanda is survived by daughter Dr. Amanda Cain; daughter Anna C. Stewart, son-in-law Joel Stewart; grandson Drew Stewart and wife Leah Stewart; great-grandson Tate Stewart; granddaughter Merritt Emily Stewart; and daughter Amy C. Badura and son-in-law Christopher Badura, all of Gainesville.

Wanda touched many lives as a faithful Christian and “preacher’s wife.”  From Antioch Baptist Church in Columbiana, Alabama, to First Baptist Church in Franklin, Georgia, to Echota Baptist Church in Calhoun, Georgia, to Porterdale Baptist Church in Porterdale, Georgia, to Riverbend Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, and to Carnes Creek Baptist Church in Toccoa, Georgia, she developed love for the people of those churches and communities.  She was also loved for her willingness to serve as a pianist, organist, Sunday School teacher, and many other roles within the churches.  She had an infectious smile and kind words for everyone.   After her retirement and move back to Gainesville, she became an active member of Corinth Baptist Church, and continued to serve her Lord there as well.

Wanda was a loving mother who led by example and nurtured with warmth and gentleness.  She happily welcomed sons-in-law to the family, and was thrilled to have grandchildren, and a new great grandson.  She had extended family and friends that she loved and treasured.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, other family members, and friends.  To the end of her earthly life, she remained and example of how to live, how to love, and ultimately, how to die with grace and with assurance that the next life would be beyond what she could imagine.

Her daughters and families will have a private graveside service.  Arrangements made by Memorial Park Funeral Home, North Riverside. www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com for online condolences.

Memorial donations may be made to Corinth Baptist Church Building Fund, 3590 Thompson Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506; or Hospice of NGMC, www.nghs.com/hospice.

Mrs. Cain’s daughters would like to extend their gratitude to The Phoenix at Lake Lanier and Hospice of NGMC for their loving care of their mother.