Wanda Whitehead, 89 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 1:50 pm Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa. She was born June 7, 1924 at Fort Gay, West Virginia, a daughter of William Golden and Carrie Fay Jennings. On May 10, 1971 she married Blaine L. Whitehead in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death March 8, 1984.
In earlier years she was employed by the Federal Government in Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Illinois, and Berkeley and San Diego, California. She retired from the Iowa State Penitentiary in 1985. She was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Fort Madison, Iowa.
She is survived by her half sister Betty Jennings Ingram of Booneville, Indiana; half brother Fred Ward Jennings of Oakley, Michigan; step-sons Bill Whitehead of San Francisco, California and Brad Whitehead of San Diego, California; step-daughters Jody Pucci, of San Diego, California and Jeanne Ley of Arlington Heights, Illinois; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, step parents, husband and three sisters.
Per her wishes, her body has been cremated. Private memorial services will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for the PAW Animal Shelter, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the Wounded Warriors Fund. Contributions may be made at Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison.