Wanda Louise Phibbs

Reidsville: Wanda Louise Beachum Phibbs of Reidsville, NC passed away on Monday, May 6, 2013. A Celebration of Wanda’s life will be held Wednesday at 2:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home followed by a committal service at Mt. Bethel Christian Church Cemetery, NC Hwy 65, Summerfield, NC. Wanda was born October 31, 1931 in Stanly County, NC to the late Charles Hayes and Estelle Foreman Beachum. Mrs. Phibbs is survived by her husband, Rodney Phibbs of the home; her son Blair Gardner (Gloria); brother Wayne Beachum (Geneva); sister, Sheila Reynolds (John); granddaughter Beth Gardner; step daughters Mary Powell, Jane Rainey (David) and step son Stewart Phibbs, (Donna). Wanda is also survived by her five grandchildren and 13 great nieces and nephews and many beloved cousins. Wanda dedicated 40 years of her life to working with Reidsville Community Chest, later known as The United Way of Reidsville. Working with a wide variety of people as she served her community was Wanda’s greatest joy and reward throughout her career. Of the Baptist Faith, Wanda attended First Congregational Christian Church in Reidsville regularly, but had made a point to visit every church in the Reidsville area. A graduate of Oakboro, NC Public Schools, Wanda later attended Appalachian State University in Boone. Wanda served as President of the Blue Ridge Institute for Southern Community Executives, Chaired the North and South Carolina United Way Executive Association, and later served on the Rockingham County Nursing Home Committee as well as the Rockingham County Planning Committee for the Aging. True to her life-long dedication to community service, Wanda regularly worked with and contributed to numerous community organizations and committees after her retirement. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 – 2 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to United Way of Rockingham County – PO Box 317 – Wentworth, NC 27375 or the charity of the donor’s choice.