She was born September 19, 1958, in St. Marys, daughter of the late William and Shirley Laird Evans. Wanda was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1978, and attended Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. She was an employee of the former Four Lane Fuels and BP, as well as the South St. Marys Street Elementary School, Walmart, Maranatha Optical, and she served as a sign interpreter for the deaf.

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Rachelle Thompson and her husband Christopher of Timberville, VA; two sons: Brent Russell and his wife Danni of Ridgway and Emmanuel “Manny” Russell of Stanley, VA; four grandchildren: Lucas Russell, Logan Russell, Annabella Russell, and Hunter Thompson; three sisters: Sharon Buerk and her husband Dennis of St. Marys; Yvonne Neilson and her husband Paul of Ridgway; and Darlene Nortum of St. Marys; her brother, Dennis Evans and his wife Nancy of St. Marys; and by her nieces and nephews.