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Wanda Garren Obituary

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Wanda Garren

Rutherfordton, NC

March 24, 1950 - September 3, 2012

Wanda Garren Obituary

Wanda Yvonne Norris Garren, age 62, of Rutherfordton, passed peacefully at home in the early morning of September 3, 2012. She departed this world enveloped in the prayer and song of her loving husband and her four girls. She was born March 24, 1950 in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the late Frank Norris and Margaret Helen Atkins Norris of Asheville, North Carolina. She was a true mountain girl at heart and traveled often to the Blue Ridge Parkway to energize her soul. She attended Sand Hill Elementary School and was a graduate of Enka High School, Class of 1968, ranking third in her class. She went on to receive her B.S. degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math and graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian State University. She then earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading, also at ASU. Wanda was called to the art of teaching. She was dedicated to the development and nurturing of her family, students, parents, and colleagues. Wanda worked in the public school system for 29 years at elementary, middle, and high school levels. She also tutored in her home and taught college courses, pre-school, and also within the prison system. Her first love, however, was fourth grade, which she proudly taught for 13 years. Wanda lived her life in service to her family and her community. She was a leader and member of La Leche League, acting as a lactation consultant to local physicians and guiding countless mothers through the process of learning to breastfeed their children. She organized a Brownie Girl Scout Troop which she led for several years with her husband and was active in several PTOs. She was an artist at heart, bringing a spark of creativity to everything she touched. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jim Garren, and her four girls: Melody Garren of Los Angeles, CA; Heather Garren LaBreche of Cary, NC; Allison Garren and Joanna Garren, both of Rutherfordton. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Matthew LaBreche and two grandchildren, Samantha and Alexander LaBreche of Cary, NC; siblings, brother Alan Norris (and sister-in-law Robin Norris) of Asheville, NC; brother Gary Norris of Leicester, NC; sister Karen Griffin of Asheville, NC and many extended family members. A memorial service honoring her life will be held Saturday, September 8th, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church. Immediately afterward will be an opportunity to reflect with the family at the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton. Crowe’s Mortuary is caring for the Garren Family.

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Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Wanda Garren.