Heaven gained a soldier as Retired Master Sergeant (MSG RET) Wanda M. Turner reported to her heavenly duty station on Friday, April 11, 2025. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. She was a true hero.

Wanda M. Spencer Turner was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital, in Chelsea Massachusetts, to the late Ruby Harris Spencer and Robert Lee Spencer, on October 16, 1960. She completed her earthly journey on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.

Wanda was the nucleus of her  family. Born the middle of seven children Wanda was the epitome of a compass, always guiding others  and helping them to be the best they could be. Wanda graduated from Randleman High School in 1978. While in school, she was a member of the BETA Club, a national honor society that promotes academic achievement, character, leadership, and service. The club's motto of "Let Us Lead by Serving Others," reflecting its focus on service and leadership development described Wanda to a tee. After graduation, she joined the United States Army and retired in 1999 after 22 years of active duty service from Fort Lee, VA now known as Fort-Gregg Adams.

At Fort Lee, she was an Instructor and then became the first African American female First Seargeant assigned to lead the Senior Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course (ANOC) at the NCO Academy. Throughout her service in the United States Army, Wanda served in many arenas worldwide. A few of her duty stations included: Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Fort Dix New Jersey, Germany, Italy, Fort Meyer, Alexandria, Virginia,  Fort Lee, Virginia, and The Pentagon. During her tenure at the Pentagon, Wanda had the esteemed pleasure of working directly with General Colin Powell. This was one of her top admirable moments in her career.

Among her many Decorations, and awards she received, the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award); Army Commendation Medal (5th Award); Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award) National Defense Service Medal; Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award) Army Service Ribbon; and Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award). She served her country for over twenty (20) years before retiring at her last duty station Assignment HQ, as a Master Sergeant (E8) at CASCOM Combined Arms Support Command,  Fort Gregg-Adams, VA (Ft. Lee). Wanda worked to lead by example, embodying Army core values, and prepared subordinates for the challenges of daily military life and the rigors of combat.

She was also employed in the private sector for the Department of Forestry, the Virginia Department of Transportation and she retired from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in 2023. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Leo University majoring in Business Administration/CIS and a Master's Degree with a concentration in  Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University.

At an early age, Wanda was a member of the Harshaw Grove Missionary Baptist Church and the Emmanuel Chapel Holiness Church in Randleman, North Carolina, where she sang on the choir. Upon rededicating her life to Christ in 1992, she continued on her spiritual journey.

While a member at Zion Chester A.M.E. Zion Church, she served as a Stewardess and sang with the Friends of Faith Choir until she transferred to Paradise AM.E. Zion Church to assist her sister in ministry. She would continue to support as the family was transferred to the St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church on the Newport News District. She was very instrumental and was a founding member of the New Covenant A.M.E. Zion Church. Wanda was very active at all these churches. She independently researched new and innovative ideas to assist in the Music and Administrative areas at the church. As the Minister of Music, she provided music and direction for the Male Chorus as well as for the Voices of Paradise and the Voices of Inspiration. In addition, she served as the Financial Secretary, a Steward, Choir President and a Class Leader. In 2015, she was consecrated a Deaconess at New Covenant A.M.E. Zion Church. She continued with her dedication, duties, and love when her family was transferred to Piney Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Waverly, Virginia. Her impact and influence were left at several churches as she was the force and inspiration behind the dedication of several keyboards and music within the Virginia Conference. Because of Wanda's unconditional devotion to the Lord, she proudly served on many boards and was constantly composing music for the choirs at church.

Wanda was a trailblazer. She forged a path and cleared the way for others to follow as evidenced by those who followed her lead, especially those who chose a career in the military. Wanda was a giver. On many occasions she was able to bless those just starting out. She opened her doors to family who needed a fresh start.

Wanda loved to immerse herself in her hobbies, such as shopping, baking homemade desserts and trying different recipes. She was especially known for her famous peach cobbler and lasagna. You could also catch Wanda in her garden and spending time with her daughter Nicole, granddaughter Devan or with her nieces and nephews. Wanda will be most missed for spoiling her nieces and nephews while pretending to have them help her around the house. She will be missed by all who were blessed with the gift of her presence. She had many devoted and caring family members and friends, and she cherished the time spent with those she met on her journey.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby and Robert Spencer (U.S. Army); sister, Deborah Spencer Hernandez (Army National Guard); grandparents, Rushous and Thelma Harris; favorite uncles, William (Bill) Harris (U.S. Army), Joseph Harris, and Walter (Snap) Harris; aunts, Carolyn Harris Cofield and Ruth "Geraldine" Harris Cofield; and her nephew, Kevin E. James.

Left to cherish her memories and to continue her legacy are: her daughter, Nicole L. Turner (SPC); granddaughter, Devan Turner Ball; significant other, Nathaniel Roots (Air Force); and her favorite Pooch, Izzie "The Biz" Marshall; siblings, Evelyn Harris Malachi (Henry MSG Ret), Toni Harris Coward (SFC Ret) (Michael MSG Ret), Robert L. Spencer (SGM Ret.) (Jevan), Steven R. Spencer (Valerie), and Rev. Cheryl Spencer James (Earl SFC Ret.);  bonus sister, Patricia Howell; bonus brother, Sherron Harris (U.S. Navy) (Tonia); n ieces and nephews, Anthony Harris; Hendricks Simmons (Sharonda), Derrick Malachi (SGT) (Danielle (U.S. Army)), LaKisha Malachi, Sherrell Spencer Grant (Thomas), Monica Spencer Tilman (Montrice), Krystle Spencer, Steven Matthews (PFC) (Shevonne U.S. Air Force), Steven James, Darren Coward, Alyssa Spencer, Jasmine Spencer Livingston (SPC) (Francisco SGT Ret.), and Raven Spencer; bonus niece, Tyra Hagans; bonus nephew, Torrance Brown; g reat-nieces and nephews, Asia Chaffin, Darius Johnson, Myesha Grant, Bri'Monika Malachi, Micah Spencer, Isaiah Spencer, Kahayla Malachi, Ryan Harris, Briana McFarlin, Ramyah Spencer-Bastian, Travis Bridges, Stefany Jubilee-Carter (Izayah), Jordan Spencer, Natalya Spencer, Aniya Fisher, Ajai Fisher, Olivia Grant, Journey Tilman, Thomas Grant (TJ), Autumn Matthews, Kamyrn Matthews, Joursey Tilman, Caden Spencer, Alicia Malachi, Jourdyn Tilman, Logan Livingston, Kensington Spencer-Williams, Jouriel Tilman, Cameron Livingston and Joel Spencer; bonus great nephew,DeAndre Sowell; g reat-great-nieces and nephews, Nalani Suma, Aubree Chaffin, Makenzie Chaffin, Kennedi Chaffin, Alexander Chaffin, Zoë Chaffin, Aubrey Ridley, Kaylee Murphy, Amara Booth, Sarai Sowell and Sage Jubilee-Carter; h er favorite aunt and twin, Ernestine Spencer Coble; aunts and uncles, Evelyn Lowe, Marjorie Harris, Brenda Mitchell (Donnell), Alvin Lee Harris, Thomas Harris (Melba) and Woodie Smith; great aunts, Mabel Marshall, Ruth Haywood.

On behalf of the family of Wanda M. Turner we would like to acknowledge with sincere thanks and appreciation for all comforting acts of kindness and support during the passing and bereavement of our loved one. We are sincerely grateful to the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Palliative/Hospice Care Team at Journeys Way who were instrumental in helping to care for Wanda before her transition.

Wanda's favorite scripture was Psalms 100-Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations .

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 19, 2025, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Cheryl Spencer James, eulogist and the Rev. John Conwell, officiating.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.