Wanda Garmon Whiting, 74, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed

away peacefully on June 13, 2024. Wanda Bessie was born

in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 5, 1950, to Owen

and Lillian Garmon. She was a cherished daughter and

sibling to her brother, Barry.

Wanda attended Germantown High School in

Philadelphia before pursuing her higher education at

Florida A&M University (FAMU), graduating in 1971.

While at FAMU, she worked as a summer intern at Sears

and Roebuck and later accepted an offer post-graduation

in New York City as a retail buyer. She eventually moved

back to Philadelphia, where she transitioned to working

in local government. Later in her career, she made the

switch from local to federal government, where she took

on several leadership roles. She retired from the Census

Bureau on April 30, 2023.

Wanda married Charles Gunn in 1970 in Thomasville,

Georgia. This union produced her only child, Shawn

Gunn. This marriage would end in divorce in 1974. In

1981, she married Oscar Whiting in Richmond, Virginia.

The couple initially resided in Willingboro, New Jersey,

for many years before moving to Waldorf, Maryland,

once Oscar retired. They eventually relocated to Atlanta,

Georgia, in 2006, which would be Wanda's final home.

Oscar Whiting passed away in 2017.

Wanda was a loving mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She is survived by her son, Shawn Gunn

(Toi), her grandson, Jordan Gunn, her brother, Barry

Garmon, her stepson, Michael Whiting (Cynthia),

grandsons, Michael Whiting II (Candace) and Matthew

Whiting (Christina), and great-grandchildren,

Anthony, Bradley, Vanessa, Chad, and Ava. She

also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, other

relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by

her parents, Owen and Lillian Garmon, and her late

husband, Oscar Whiting.

Wanda was known for her compassion, generosity,

mentorship, leadership, and dedication to her

community. She had a classic, refined style and

believed in the importance of making a great first

impression. She enjoyed theater, culinary arts, fine

dining, traveling, and having tea with her sorority and

Links sisters. Her passions also included supporting

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),

women's empowerment, and voting rights. Wanda

was also known for being tough and a straight talker,

often wrapping her words with a smile.

Wanda served on numerous boards and held

leadership positions in both Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.

In 1986 and 1987, she was recognized as one of the

Outstanding Young Women of America. She held

multiple leadership roles in the alumni association.

In 1997, she was honored with the Florida

A&M University National Alumni Association

Distinguished Alumni Award for Community

Service. In 2021, she was awarded the Bronze Medal,

the highest honorary recognition by the US Census

Bureau, recognizing her for superior performance.