Wanda Paterson, 96, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. She was born in Gordon, Neb., on May 3, 1926, to Wayne and Elsie Rash Walker. She had one brother, Kenny, and two sisters, Jody and Laverne. She invited Jesus into her heart at an early age and all of her siblings are now present with the Lord.

Wayne and Elsie moved their family to Southern California in 1929, and joined the Church of the Open Door, which was adjacent to the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. After graduating from BIOLA in 1947, Wanda married and had three children, Linda, Kathi and Steve. While at BIOLA, she studied missions and Chinese, but she never made it to the mission field. Her marriage was terminated in 1954 and she never remarried.

Music became a vital part of Wanda’s life, and she was privileged to sing in several church and recording choirs, among which were the BIOLA Hour Radio, the Old Fashioned Revival Hour, Grace Church of Huntington Park, the Church of the Open Door, Lake Avenue Congregational Church and Carlsbad Community Church.

Wanda was a fervent prayer warrior, and she loved the Scriptures, reading through the Bible 44 times during her lifetime. She started her Scripture reading routine with her pastor, J. Vernon McGee, and the Thru the Bible radio program. She served as the music ministry secretary when Dr. McGee pastored the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, in addition to her full-time job working as a corporate paralegal.

Wanda lived in Pasadena, Calif., until her retirement and moved to Oceanside, Calif., where she spent much of her time walking along the beach, pier and marina. She moved to Statesville, N.C., in 2015 to be closer to family. After arriving in Statesville, she joined the Western Avenue Baptist Church, where her son’s family were members.

She enjoyed sports and was a devoted Dodger fan. Her all-time favorite sports hero was Orel Hershiser. Her other pastimes were traveling to visit family across the country and walking on the beach along the California coast. Her favorite hobbies were home improvement, card-making, knitting and tatting.

She is survived by Lindalu Dyk, daughter, married to Peter; Kathi Killion, daughter, married to Jim; Steve Paterson, son, married to Terri; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.

Services for Wanda will be private.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com for the Paterson family.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.