Wanda Milam

Wanda Lee (Skaggs) Milam died Monday, November 8th, 2021 at the age of 85 of cancer at her home in Charleston, Tennessee.  Wanda was born in Jackson, Ohio to Brack and Carrie Moore on July 11, 1936 where she lived with her older sisters Madeline, Imogene, Edith, Betty, Charlotte and younger brothers Frankie, Joe and Leroy.  She often told stories of how she looked up to her sisters, sought their advice, and aggravated the boys often.  There was plenty of love and laughter in their home growing up.  She looked forward to the times when she would get to go home for the annual summer family reunion to reminisce and share time with her family.  On July 24, 1954 she married Vernon Lee Milam and together they raised 4 children:  Vernon Allen, Terry Lee, Lena Rebekah, and Joshua Lee.  She loved and devoted her life to her husband and children.  She loved her husband dearly and though they disagreed at times as to what temperature to set the thermostat on in the house, she was steadfast in her love for him.

As a member of Center Point Baptist Church she loved the Lord, the fellowship with friends and bringing meals and treats to share on Sunday afternoons. Wanda was known for her kind, generous, and selfless spirit; taking after her mother, no doubt who was known for feeding the poor at their back door though they themselves had so very little.  Wanda made a point of reaching out to those who needed help whether working at Wellington Place as a CNA or bringing a meal, a smile and a listening ear to a friend or family member.

She loved completing crossword puzzles to help keep her mentally sharp and agile and on any given day you could find them lodged between the cushions of her sitting chair. She also loved to find great deals at the Goodwill and reveal them to family at Thanksgiving.  She adored and delighted in her grandchildren and created memories to last generations; she also made the best Texas sheet cake ever.  Though she wore many hats including wife, mother, grandmother and friend, some people knew her as “Wanda” but many knew her affectionately as “Mamaw”. As she raised several generations of children in her lifetime, their friends all became like grandchildren to her.  It was not uncommon to walk into any given establishment in town and hear, “Mamaw!”

Wanda is survived by her husband, Vernon Lee Milam; her children:  Terry Lee (Lisa), Lena Rebekah, and Joshua Lee (Rebekah);  grandchildren:  Jason Allen, Beth Marie (Matthew), Daniel Allen, Cristina Lee (David), Kennedy Nicole, Aleeseia Danette;  great grandchildren: Ainsley Marie, John Joseph, Sawyer Riley, Danzlee Brooke, Lucas Parker, Logan Alexander, Greyson Allen, and Daniel Allen Jr. Siblings: Betty Jane, Vergil Leroy and Joseph Lewis.

Wanda was preceded in death by her son, Vernon Allen; grandson Matthew Austin “Tex”;her mother, Carrie Moore Skaggs and her father, Wellington Brack Skaggs;  siblings:  Madeline, Imogene, Edith, Charlotte and Frankie.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation held on Saturday, November 13th from 12-2pm at Ralph Buckner Funeral home.  A service will follow at 2:00 at the funeral home.   A Private Graveside service for the family will be held Center Point Baptist Church in Charleston, TN.