Wanda Sue (Harmon) Long

Wanda Sue Harmon Long, age 65, of Pittsboro, NC died Sunday, May 5, 2019 at her beloved Twin Rivers Independent Senior Living home.

Wanda was born in Bostic, NC on October 28, 1953 to the late Drury Clary (D.C.) Harmon and Nell Crawford Harmon. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Lisa Long and Lynn Allen, son-in-law, Stephen Allen, the true joy of her life, her grandson, Connor Allen and her brother, David Harmon.

A born sales-woman and leader, Wanda enjoyed careers in sales and management across a spectrum of fields including but not limited to, retail, cars, jewelry, makeup, textiles, insurance, and furniture.  Along the way, she formed lifetime friendships and bonds with customers and coworkers alike and never met a stranger. Strangers became friends, friends became family, and her family was her world. She instilled a strong work ethic in her girls, who never doubted her hard work and determination was rooted in her devotion to them. Her unvarnished truth coupled with her natural grace and charm endeared her to many and, good or bad, you knew exactly where you stood with Wanda.

She held the congregations of Sandy Mush Baptist Church and Guess Road Baptist Church (Durham) close to her heart, and was an active and joyful member when her health allowed. She experienced the love of God and expressed it most fully through her relationships with people, the fellowship she enjoyed with them, and the food she always, always loved to share. Whether cooking for her family, celebrating a special occasion at a favorite restaurant, or gathering around her favorite dishes on a holiday, she believed literally, the Lord had put her here to “feed His people.”

We will remember and cherish her love for life, her laughter, her banana puddings and honey bun cakes, the magic she brought to every holiday; the spirit and spunk she brought to any ordinary outing and her sing-a-longs to Motown favorites and, in better days, her best shag moves to her beloved beach music. If she spent time with Connor, talked to her friends and family, gathered around the card table with her Twin Rivers family, and ate some good food, it was a good day. We are grateful her last days were spent with those she loved most enjoying good food, good card games, and good talks.

Mom’s last wish was for her family and friends to gather and celebrate her life through fellowship. In the spirit of that request, the family will receive friends Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Sandy Mush Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 1:00pm-3:00pm. In keeping with her requests, no formal service or burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the March of Dimes in Wanda’s honor.