Mrs. Lawanda Lanum Fitzgerald, age 89, of Covington, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Richfield Health Center, Salem. She was the wife of the late William Wade “Bill” Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was born April 19, 1933, in Covington, the daughter of the late Dennis Kirby and Atlas Armstrong Lanum. A lifetime member of this community, she worked in a local bank at the time of her marriage and until her first child, Terry was born. She then devoted herself to being a homemaker and raising her children before eventually returning to work in sales for the former FLOR-KAB Co for a number of years. Throughout this time, however, she was a dedicated member of Covington Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union. She remained active in her church up through the Sunday before this past Thanksgiving.
Lawanda loved her family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cherished her longtime neighbors and her church family. She enjoyed a good laugh and found ways to have fun.
Mrs. Fitzgerald is survived by a son, Bradley W. Fitzgerald and wife, Susan, of Roanoke; a daughter, Terry Lynn Fitzgerald of Fairfax; four grandchildren, Brandon Sellers and wife, Ruby, Kristin Sellers, William Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald; three great grandchildren, Sandy Lee, Madison Lee and Morgan Sellers; a brother, Larry Lanum of Roanoke; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Fitzgerald was preceded in death by a great-grandchild, Wyatt Lee; a brother, Gerald Lanum; and three sisters, Lozelle Holt, Faye Braden and Carol Wade.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Covington Baptist Church with Rev. Brad Armes officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Sellers, William Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Rick Wade, Rob Braden, Mike Johnson, Danny Johnson and Paul Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Holt, Harold Lambert, Darrell Gleason, Dwayne Broughman and Matt Moore.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Covington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 687, Covington, VA 24426 or your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home; send online condolences at www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
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