Wilma Leigh Vannoy Whitt

Wilma (Wendy) Leigh Vannoy Whitt, aged 64, of Westfield, North Carolina, peacefully left this world on January 12, 2025, at the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. Born on September 20, 1960, in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Wendy, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, illuminated the lives of those around her with her unwavering spirit and love.

Wendy was the beloved daughter of Harold Ross Vannoy and Wilma Faye Owens Vannoy. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold; her mother, Wilma; her brother, Michael Anthony Vannoy; and her grandson, Elijah Darien Lahey. Despite these profound losses, her legacy continues through the cherished family members she leaves behind. Wendy is survived by her loving daughter, Porsche Leigh Yates; her devoted sons, Christopher Ross Harris and Robert Adam Harris; as well as her grandchildren, Alexis Lahey, Mason Dunnigan, Camron Mabe, and Isaiah Ziggy Mabe. Each of them carries a piece of her heart and spirit in their own lives.

Wendy was a remarkable woman who exhibited intelligence, strength, and determination throughout her life. She was an entrepreneur, successfully operating a domestic cleaning service and a log home business for several years, showcasing her tenacity and dedication to her work. Education was also important to her; she attended Surry Community College, where she gained skills that would serve her well throughout her life.

Her true passion, however, lay in nurturing life itself. Wendy had a profound love for the outdoors and spent countless hours tending to her yard and cultivating her beautiful garden. With a remarkable green thumb, she delighted in growing plants and flowers, bringing a splash of color and vibrancy not only to her home but to the hearts of all who knew her.

Wendy’s greatest joy came from her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, with a soft spot in her heart for her grandchildren. They were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them, guiding them with her wisdom and strength. Her love was a constant presence in their lives, and her memory will live on in the stories they share and the lessons they learned from her.

A special thank you goes out to the incredible nursing staff at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, particularly Yorci, RN, and Ricky, RN, for their compassion and kindness during Wendy’s final days. Your support meant the world to her family.

Wendy’s funeral will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Salem Funeral Home Chapel, 120 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating the life of this extraordinary woman, who enriched the lives of many with her love and strength.

As we say goodbye to Wilma Leigh Vannoy Whitt, we remember her not only for the loss we feel but for the incredible legacy she leaves behind—a legacy of love, resilience, and the beauty of life she nurtured in every garden she tended and every heart she touched. May she rest in peace.

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