Wanda Ashby Spainhour

Wanda Jane Ashby Spainhour, 94, went home to the Lord on Sunday, January 4, 2026. She was born on May 8, 1931, in Stokes County to the late Henry and Ida Manning Ashby. Wanda was born one of nine siblings and from a young age, she took care of those around her with her nurturing disposition. She found joy in the simple things in life, including gardening, canning, and spending time with her family. She adored her close family and friends whom she considered family. Above all, Wanda was a faithful servant of God. She spent 40 years teaching the three-year-old Sunday School class at Gospel Light Baptist Church and was proud of her service to the church and the community. She will be missed immensely by those who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Wanda is preceded in death by her committed husband, Thurman Spainhour; her only child, Thurman Junior Spainhour; as well as seven siblings, Posie Ashby, Irene Hampton, Odell Ashby, Tommy Ashby, Joel Ashby, Chester Ashby, and Wayne Ashby.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Deanna Spainhour (Dustin Swain); daughter-in-law Angie Spainhour; Several who were instrumental in her care, including Angie Richardson and family, former daughter-in-law Robin Broadstreet, and good friend and neighbor Donna Ballard; many extended family including nieces and nephews; as well as two sisters, Ida Mae Martin and Mary Hazelwood.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Gospel Light Baptist Church with Bro. Frank Shumate officiating. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory in Walkertown. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, from 1:00 PM-1:45 PM.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sheri Writer-Brown, and her terrific nurse, Whitney, and Dr. Thomas Dannals, MD, at Forsyth Medical Center, as well as the Hospice team at Forsyth Medical Center for their care and assistance to Wanda during her time of need.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gospel Light Baptist Church at 890 Walkertown Guthrie Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to a cause of the donor’s choice.