Wanda Gail Willingham

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Wanda Gail Willingham, on September 18, 2026, at the age of 79.

Born on September 18, 1947, she entered this world on the same day she would one day leave it—a bittersweet symmetry that makes her birthday forever both a celebration of the beautiful life she gave us and a reminder of how deeply she will be missed.

Our mother was the heart of our family. She was a loving mother, a cherished grandmother, a sister, a friend, and a woman whose presence made our lives better simply because she was in them. She loved her children deeply and always wanted us to love one another and to know that each of us was equally important to her.

Her home was more than four walls. It was our childhood home, the place where memories were made, where laughter was shared, where life happened, and where her children would always have a place to come home to. Those memories will remain with us forever.

She gave us something far more lasting than anything that could ever be left behind—her love, her strength, her memories, and the countless little pieces of herself that live on in each of her children and grandchildren.

And if there was one thing you could always count on, it was her love for Alabama football. She was an avid Alabama fan who proudly cheered for the Crimson Tide and never missed an opportunity to support her team. We can picture her now, watching from the best seat in the house, still cheering them on.

There are no words that can truly express the emptiness her passing leaves behind. We will miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, her presence, and simply knowing that she was here. We will miss being able to call her, visit her, and hear her say the things only a mother can say.

Although our hearts are shattered, we are grateful for every year, every memory, every lesson, every laugh, and every moment we were blessed to have with her.

She may have left this world, but she will never leave us. She will live on in our hearts, in our family stories, in the traditions she gave us, and in the love, she placed in each of us.

You were loved more than words could ever express, and you will be missed more than we could ever say.

She was a native of Gadsden Alabama and was preceded in death by her parents, William H. Talley, and Virginia Lee Talley; sister, Gina R Atkins, and brother Phillip Wayne Talley.

Ms. Willingham was a member of Parkway Baptist Church and was retired from Ingram Entertainment after 20 years of service.

She is survived by her children, Sonja Bishop, Solon “Gene” Woodall, Stacy Sullivan and husband Brad, William Willingham and wife Jessica; grandchildren; Emma Bishop, Casey Watkins, Joshua Sullivan, Skyler Sullivan, Kaylee Willingham, Kinlee Willingham; great grandchildren, Gabriel, Abby, Connor, Aria, Layla; sister; Charlotte McArthur and husband Milton; special friend, Lana West.

A private family service to be held at a later date. Woodfin Memorial Chapel is in charge of cremation arrangements. www.woodfinchapel.com