Wanda Lee Johnson Sapp

Wanda Lee Johnson Sapp, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 3, 1938, to William Chopp and Edna Mae Music, she spent much of her childhood in Michigan and Kentucky, where she was lovingly raised by her maternal grandparents, Grant and Minnie Lee Music.  As a teenager, Wanda moved to St. Cloud, Florida, and graduated from St. Cloud High School in 1956. She was an active and creative young woman whose high school years were filled with sports, acting, and art.  Wanda was recruited out of high school to work for Bell South in Jacksonville. In November 1956, she married James “Jim” A. Johnson of Arcadia, Florida, while he was completing his degree at the University of Florida. She continued to work to support them while he finished his degree. Soon after, the couple welcomed their four children. Wanda devoted herself to motherhood, homemaking, and life as a rancher’s wife at several Lykes Bros. cattle stations, including Brighton and Wild Island.  Tragically, cancer claimed her first husband at the young age of thirty-one. At age thirty, Wanda settled in Lake Placid, Florida, where she continued raising her children. Her later marriage to William Glenn Sapp brought her fifth child and completed her family.  Wanda found deep fulfillment in raising her children, maintaining a spotless home and beautiful yard, and expressing her artistic talents. When grandchildren arrived, her joy multiplied, and she cherished every moment spent nurturing and loving them.  She is preceded in death by her parents; both her husbands; her daughter, Katherine Louise Johnson; her brother, Lee Sharpe; and her sister, Teresa Sharpe.  She is survived by her brother, Ronnie Sharpe of St. Cloud, Florida; her children, Tammy J. Hancock (Ned) of Sebring, Florida; James “Jim” A. Johnson, Jr. (Gayle) of Lorida, Florida; Kirby L. Johnson (Donna) of Charleston, South Carolina; and Amy S. Turner (Phil) of Arcadia, Florida.  She is also survived by five grandchildren—Marti S. Hancock (Andy Ganger), Callie J. Maddox (Derek), Alison F. Grant (Ryan), Savannah J. Hancock, and Wyatt J. Johnson—and five great grandchildren: Clara Jean, Malia, Lawson, Layton, and Lainey.  The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the many caregivers at Lakeshore Manor at Lake Jackson for their dedication and support over the past three years. They offer special thanks to Gina Whittington, their mother’s beautician, for her kindness, care, and unwavering support.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Stephenson Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring, Florida, with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Highlands County, Florida, Inc., 7421 Haywood Taylor Blvd., Sebring, FL 33876.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Sebring, Florida
www.stehpensonnelsonfh.com