Wanda Faye Pitchford Richmond

Funeral services for Wanda  Faye Pitchford Richmond, 95, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Scott Presnall and Brother Ron Meadows officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Richmond was born July 10, 1927 in Paris, Arkansas and after a brief illness, went to Heaven Saturday, June 10, 2023. She was the first of eight children born to Amy (Blaylock) and Lester K. Pitchford, Sr., whom she loved and adored.

In 1945 her father was hired by the Missouri Railroad Company and moved his family to Van Buren, Arkansas. Wanda graduated with the Class of 1946. She was employed as a secretary for Batchelor and Batchelor Law Firm. Later she was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Wanda married the love her life, Carl G. Richmond, Jr. on December 24, 1949 in the First Baptist Church in Van Buren, with Rev. T.H. Jordan officiating. She was also baptized at the church.

They moved to Pasadena, Texas in 1950, where Carl was employed. Wanda did secretarial work until their son, Mike was born, and she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Wanda really enjoyed being a mother. Raising Mike was a joy and she was so very proud of the man he became. In 1959 Carl was transferred to Lufkin. Wanda loved living in Lufkin. They were members of First Baptist Church where Wanda helped out in the church nursery, was a kindergarten volunteer, and later taught Sunday School.

Wanda was a wonderful lady. She never met a stranger. To know her was to love her. When our parents began to have health problems, Wanda always came home to help, and she stayed as long as she was needed. Her family was everything to her. Her granddaughter, Ashley, and great-grandchildren, Gracie and Kutter, brought so much love, joy and sunshine into her life. She loved being their “Nonnie”.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Michael Wayne and Kathy Jeffus Richmond of Grapeland; granddaughter, Ashley (Richmond) Prince and husband Cullen of Lufkin; great-granddaughter, Gracie Jordan Prince of Lufkin; and great-grandson, Kutter Wayne Prince of Lufkin. In addition, when Mike married Kathy, Wanda inherited an extended family of Kathy’s four children, their spouses and seven grandchildren whom she loved to gather with for special occasions and holidays. She loved those times and often said it so reminded her of when the Pitchford family was all together. Wanda is also survived by her sisters, Helen Deffenbaugh of Poteau, Oklahoma, Sue Finch of Hutto, Texas; brother, Bill Pitchford and wife Lynne of Heavener, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Pat Pitchford of Bossier City, Louisiana, Norma Pitchford of Poteau, Oklahoma, Linda James of Van Buren, Arkansas, Judy Longley of Fort Smith, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Bill Longley of Fort Smith, Arkansas; special friends, Bob and Gayle Rice and Rosa Andrase, all of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Amy (Blaylock) and Lester K. Pitchford, Sr.; her husband of 55 years, Carl G. Richmond, Jr.; brothers, Bobby Pitchford, Earl Pitchford, L.K. Pitchford, Jr.; sister, Bexta Jean Pitchford; brothers-in-law, Ed Deffenbaugh, Jesse C. Finch, Tommy James, Bobby Richmond; sisters-in-law, Patsy Pitchford, Betty Richmond; nephews, Keith Pitchford, Kendall Lynn; and Ashley’s mother, Leah Richmond.

Pallbearers will be David Sanders, William Prince, Curt Fenley, Norman Thompson, Robby Hefner, Scott McIlveene, and Kutter Prince.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Pitchford, Jerry Pitchford, Jeff Ammon, David Hearne, Cullen Prince, Al Kitchen, and The 1975 Lufkin Panther Baseball Team.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.