Wanda Marie Strother

Wanda Marie Marzett Budd Strother

"Come Little girl, come on now. We're waiting on you. You are a little early, but that's ok. We already love you so much and are anxious to let you know."

These words, in the thoughts and minds of Bessie Lee Graham and William Mose Marzett, urged Wanda Marie Marzett Budd Strother to leave the Light of before and enter into the experience of being a Spirit in a human body. This particular event occurred on August 15, 1946, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Soon afterward, Wanda began the many trips and discovered the many homes that were hers to experience throughout her lifetime. As she traveled with her Mom and Dad as an Air Force "brat", her family had several additions known as Maynard, Constance and Yvonne. By the time Wanda started her school years, her family had settled in the village of Grambling, Louisiana, anticipating the opportunity to attend Grambling College, better known today as Grambling University.

Wanda excelled in all her elementary and high school endeavors: academics, band, choir, theater, basketball, dance, foreign languages and decorum. In spite of the dishevels in her life due to many family crises, her time at Grambling Demonstration School was unique, wonderful and very valuable as she found out later.

Attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, initiated Wanda into her adult experience and the awesome freedom to be in control of her own life. After graduating with a B.A. in Spanish, Wanda headed north to Rochester, New York, where she earned her Master's in Education from SUNY at Brockport and began her career in the Rochester City School District. During this time, she also married and had her only son, Gary Mitchell Budd Jr. Her second marriage to Gilbert A. Strother was one of long duration, love, joy and gratitude.

Teacher, administrator, trainer, consultant, director, president and CEO were all roles that Wanda fulfilled throughout her career with schools, with city government, with non-profit agencies and on her own as a businesswoman. Board president, board member, commissioner, committee chair/member and counselor were all roles she fulfilled in her many community service activities. Wanda adopted Rochester, New York, as her home beginning from September 1968 until now.

Up to her transition, Wanda continued to practice her calling as a Religious Science Practitioner and to focus on enhancing people's lives by helping them reach their goals. All Souls United Church of Religious Science served to be her spiritual home and foundation for her discovering her true relationship with GOD.

Wanda truly enjoyed the wonder and beauty of life. Beginning again, knowing that there is an inner Essence which continuously creates, was a source of strength and faith as she continued to explore the possibilities of life.

Wanda leaves Gilbert A. Strother, her loving, devoted husband, Gary (Nina) M. Budd Jr., her cherished son, Kimberley (Larry) Pryor, her caring stepdaughter (grandchildren Harrison & Olivia), Scott (Blair) Strother, her attentive stepson (grandchildren Sloan & Logan), Stuart (Ania) Strother, her compassionate stepson, Karla S. Strother, her talented niece, and Shown (Jacque) J. Conde, her attractive adopted daughter, who are all deeply affected by her transition. Wanda has also left the presence of her devoted sisters and brothers: Ramon M. Marzett, Santa Rosa, California, Constance (Nathaniel) Collins, Milpitas, California, Dr. Yvonne (Robert) M. Frisby, San Diego, California, and Rodrique (Julie) B. Marzett, Phoenix, Arizona. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, friends, business partners and community activists who will miss her always.