Wanda P. Young

Wanda P. Young, died July 2nd in Winter Haven Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on August 24, 1932, to Joe and Clara Perdue on Calhoun Street in Plant City, Florida. A fifth generation Floridian, Wanda was a citrus industry icon and community leader of Alturas, Florida. She was a wonderful wife and mother. Her wit and wisdom touched many lives. Known by many names, Granny, Honey, Mamajean, and Mama. She was a very private person in her religion but very committed to her God and to her family. Wanda and Leland married on March 15th, 1953, at the Alturas Methodist Church. They were childhood sweethearts, and the love that they shared was unique. They attended Summerlin Institute together. Wanda graduated in the class of 1950, and Leland is a member of the class of 1949. She then attended the University of Florida and remained a lifelong Gator fan. Wanda taught the Men’s Bible class at Alturas Methodist Church for many years. Her knowledge of scripture was phenomenal. She never retired from the citrus industry and was at work being Wanda when she became ill. Alturas Packing Company was run by her expertise and diligence. She will be remembered and respected. She enjoyed her times as president of the Bartow Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. She was everyone’s Mama. She is survived by her husband, Leland; her children, Scott Young (Myrtice), Lisa Jensen (Joe); her grandchildren, Savannah Cerullo (Anthony), Chelsea Young, and Leslie Foti (Anthony); step-grandchildren, Alick Gerard IV and Erin Scarborough (Brian); and five great-grandchildren, Grant, Landon, Lucy, Leland, and Phillip. A viewing will be held at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home at 650 East Main Street in Bartow on Wednesday, July 6th from 5:30p.m. - 8:00p.m. The funeral service will begin 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 7, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Bartow at 355 South Florida Avenue. A post funeral reception (casual) will be at Leland Young’s residence in Alturas and, of course, The Barn. All friends and family are welcome.