Wanda (Gutshall) Folks

Wanda Geraldine (Gutshall) Folks, age 94, of Monterey, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025 at her home.

She was born in Vanderpool, November 11, 1930, a daughter of the late Hubert Wallace and Virginia Margaret (Ervine) Gutshall.

A graduate of Highland High School, Wanda married Porter Fleming Folks before the Korean War. At war’s end they began their family in suburban Maryland, near Washington, D.C. In addition to being a homemaker, Wanda worked part-time as an independent sales representative for the Dutch Maid clothing line, and later for Avon cosmetics company, garnering awards for being one of the top sellers in her sales region many times over. In the late 1980s, she and Porter returned to live in Highland County.

Known in Highland County as the “African Violet Lady”, Wanda propagated flowering violets under grow lights in her basement, selling them from her home, as well as at The Craft Store on Monterey’s Main Street. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving mother to her three boys.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois Hope and Jim Johnson, and Betty Ann and Dave Davis.

She is survived by her three sons, Charles Folks and wife, Christine of Laurel, MD, and Michael Folks and Keith Folks, both of Monterey; grandchildren, Jesse Folks of Laurel, MD, Jason Folks and wife, Marissa Sims of Chicago, IL, Anne Greene and husband, Dan of Mt. Rainier, MD, James Folks of Staunton, and Brittney Folks of Franklin, WV; two great-granddaughters, Eliza Greene and Cambria Hedrick; as well as nieces and nephews, Lisa Kier and husband, Gary of Lawrenceville, GA, Jody Johnson of Louisville, KY and Robert Davis and wife, Desiree of New Bern, NC.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Highland Baptist Church with Pastor Jimmy Oliff officiating. Burial will follow in Monterey Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be family and friends in attendance.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Baptist Church, 302 Jackson River Road, Monterey, VA 24465.