Wanda Anita Garland

Wanda Anita Washburn Garland, age 83, of Benton, Kentucky died Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the Lourdes Hospice Center surrounded by family and love.

She was born on February 4, 1943 to the late Velta and Milton Washburn of Briensburg, Ky. She is preceded in death and fully reunited in heaven with her baby daughter Christy, brother Gary Washburn, daughter Freda Rowley, and grandson Beau Garland.

She was a founding member of Christian Fellowship Church, where she served the Lord in a multitude of ways - a leader, mentor, cheerleading coach, organizer, secretary, friend, and prayer warrior.

As a graduate of Briensburg School, she prioritized lifelong friendships and organized reunions to keep her community strong. She adored her “prims”, and cultivated a large community of friends both locally and online to preserve primitive antiques and memories of the 18th century.

She is survived by husband, Lawrence "Eddie" Garland, of Benton, Ky; sisters, Brenda Robertson and Donna Harrison of Benton, Ky; Sons and daughters-in-law, Mitchell and Gina Garland and Mark and Michelle Garland, of Benton, Ky; son-in-law, Bill Rowley; grandchildren, Rachel & Jonathan, Krista and Trevor, Nate & Chaney, Abby, Wilson, and Brooke; great-grandchildren, Amariah, Eliza, William, Michael, Hardin, and Silas; and her dog, Elvis Presley.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Collier Funeral Home with Bill Rowley and Rev. David Parish officiating.  Burial will follow at Briensburg Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Collier Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Wanda has requested live plants for family and donations to God’s Promises Ministry in Benton, Kentucky.