It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Wanda Lou Emory, passed  peacefully on the 31st of July 2024 at The Gibson Family Hospice Center at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Indiana. At 87 years old, She was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, aunt, grandparent and friend who will be deeply missed by all.

Born on the 15th of September 1936, the first child of Cecil Lloyd and Lena Marie (Ramsey) Laycock. She was born at home on Ferguson Hill, West Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana and spent her formative years in West Terre Haute, Indiana. She attended Concanon High School until 1953. She then left to work at the Goody Shoppe to help support her family and begin her working career. Over the years, she worked at various local companies including Bemis Company, Vigo County schools and retired from Columbia House where for many years her occupation was as a 'dispooler' on cassette tapes.  She was punctual, dedicated and could always be counted on by her employers.

Wanda and James Samuel Emory married on the 15th of April 1955. She was a loving wife to her late husband Jim who preceded  her in death in 2001.  A devoted mother of their two children Deborah Kay (Emory) Dillard of Lebanon, TN and Benjamin 'Ben' Joseph Emory, Sr of Terre Haute, IN, who passed  in 2019

Wanda enjoyed spending her free time with family and friends, playing bunco, bingo, eucher, visiting family and entertaining them in her home. Wanda and Jim were active members of the Eagles Lodge # 291where they could often be found on a Saturday night  dancing the night away with friends. Their fondness for bowling led to many leagues over the years. They both won numerous trophies , patches and honors over  the years, often with Wanda's average being higher than Jim's. Traveling for tournaments meant trips with lifelong friends they  looked forward too. Wanda continued their favorite hobby even after Jim's death, until the Covid pandemic of 2020.

Most of all, Wanda was a beloved mother of two, grandmother of five, great grandmother of eight, and great-great grandmother of two. Her greatest pleasure was to spending time with them or  attending their activities. She was there for the birthday parties, sporting events, school graduations, and all the various activities her family participated in. She loved to talk about their accomplishments and had the pictures to prove it.

In her later years, Wanda loved watching her "stories" and other favorite shows on TV, talking on the phone with her best friend, Jewel, working word search books, and using her iPad to catch up on family and friends on social media , or  to play solitaire. Wanda was independent and active well into her late 80's.

Wanda was a kind and generous soul, always putting others needs before her own. Being a caregiver to her husband, mother, sister, and  son over the years. Her love and compassion extended to all  who knew her, and she will be remembered for her infectious smile, the way she would hold your hand, strong hugs and warm personality. Wanda's memory will be cherished always. Life is not forever love is. Rest in peace, dear mother. You will forever be in our hearts and memories.

Wanda is survived by her daughter: Deborah Kay (Emory) Dillard - Lebanon, TN.

Grandchildren: Amanda 'Mandi' Dawn (William Beckham) Linde - Mt. Juliet, TN, Autumn Sol (Nathan Joseph ) Johnson - Terre Haute, IN; Amelia 'Amy' Nicole (Jacob Wayne) Robinson - Mt. Juliet, TN; Benjamin 'Ben' Joseph, Jr. (Beth Ann) Emory - West Terre Haute, IN and Christopher 'Chris' James Robert Emory, Universal, IN.

Great-grandchildren: Jadelynn Rae Emory; Maddox Alexander Johnson; Wren Waters Linde; Maizie Dillard Linde; Wiley Dennis Linde; Noah James Emory; Gunner Ryan Emory and Aubri Aileen Emory.

Great-Great Grandchildren: Ember Sol Lewis and Aurora Sky Lewis.

Nieces: Jamie Lynn (Paul) Markle; Carolyn Sue (Allen) Watson; Janet Bernice (Bob) Kleinschmidt; Martha Rose 'Marti' (White) Pruiett and Mary Margaret (Jerry) Steadman.

Nephews: Raymond Lloyd (Janine) Mariani; Daniel Enrico Mariani, Richard Joseph Mariani; Randall 'Randy' Joe Emory and Thomas 'Tommy' James Emory.

Sister-in-law: Alma Elizabeth (Emory) Whitsit.

Nephew-in-law: Elmis E. Kress, Jr.

all of whom will miss her dearly.

Wanda was Preceded in death by:

Her parents: Cecil Lloyd Laycock (1908-1972) and Lena Marie (Ramsey) Laycock (1916-2007).

Her husband of 45 years, James Samuel Emory (1929-2001).

Son: Benjamin Joseph Emory, Sr. (1958-2019).

Son-in-law: Timothy Alan Dillard (1954-2024).

Sisters: Frances Ellen (Laycock) (1938-2011) and her husband Max Eugene Doan, Sr. (1931-1992); Rosemary (Laycock) (1941-2022) and her husband Giorgio 'Joe' Enrico Marcello Mariani (1940-2019); and Mary Belle (Laycock) (1945-2002) and her husband Benjamin 'Bennie' Eli Underwood (1910-1988).

Brothers-in-law: Edward 'Ed' Arthur  (1916-1997) and his wife Suzanna 'Sue' Rose  (Engles) Emory (1921-2010); Earl Marion (1932-2011) and his wife, Esther 'Liz' Elizabeth (Crisler) Emory (1935-2022); Jesse James Whitsit, Jr. (1929-1999).

Sisters-in-law: Viola Josephine 'Jo' (Emory) (1919-1968) and her husband, Raymond Wilson 'Ray' Phifer (1904-1979); Gertrude Frances 'Mert' (Emory) (1920-1996) and her husband, Chester Carl 'Chet' Roettger (1915-1991); Bernice Rossie 'Bernie' (Emory) (1923-2008) and her husband, Vance Eugene 'Gene' Pruiett (1922-1990).

Nieces: Pamela O'Nell 'Pam' (Emory) Kress (1946-2018); Linda Sue (Emory) 1961-2002 and husband Davis Lee Wall, Sr. (1953-2016) Vicki Kay (Emory) (1957-2014) and her husband, Willard Jackson 'Jack' Willsey, Jr. (1948-2016)

Nephews: Bobby Gene Pruiett Sr. (1944-1994); James Leroy 'Little Jimmy' Pruiett (1946-1995); James Edward 'Junior' Phifer, Sr. (1940-2000); Terry Lee Emory (1958-1998); Dino Giorgio Mariani (1968-1991).

Visitation will be at DeBaun Springhill Funeral Home, Terre Haute, on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. Visitation from 1-2pm followed by a service will be held in her honor at 2pm with graveside service immediately following. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Gibson Family Hospice Center.