Wanda Wyatt

Wanda Helene Wyatt (maiden name Sawyers), 80, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at her home on April 11, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. Wanda was born on April 13, 1942, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Joseph Clarence "Jake" and Mary Helene Sawyers. Wanda attended Las Cruces High School. She was a loving housewife and mother to her children, Johnny and Mitzi. She was involved with the PTA at MacArthur Elementary school and enjoyed seeing her children excel in extracurricular activities. Her husband, of 60 years, John M, was a man of many traits, including a truck driver, auctioneer, pesticide applicator for a local farmer, worked at full-service gas stations, and involved in the world of turquoise. Wanda and her life-long friend, Sonnie Wheeler, had a friendship which included a lot of laughter as they worked alongside their husbands in the turquoise business. Shining turquoise and making jewelry, which was at times difficult, kept their hands in water for hours at a time. Wanda made Sonnie promise that at her funeral service, Sonnie would ensure gloves were on her "old worn-out hands." Wanda and Sonnie remained close friends until her passing. For many years, Wanda, John M, and her children would load up in a "brand new used" station wagon, wood paneling on the sides, and drive to Wyoming for the summer. John M hated the dry summer heat in New Mexico. During those summers, Wanda and her family experienced the northwest, including Yellowstone National Park, lived in Jackson Hole, Buffalo, and Sheridan, Wyoming, and enjoyed vacations in North and South Dakota. While living in Wyoming, Wanda and John M's family/friends would travel to Wyoming to visit, sight see, and vacation. One of her favorite visits each summer was with her Granny Lila. An independent older woman, funny, lively, dipped snuff and made everyone laugh. Another summer she enjoyed was when her niece, Donna Gail, came to stay with the family in Buffalo, Wyoming. Wanda saw her as free spirit, loving, caring, she drove an old VW bug and helped her cousins. Wanda had funny memories of that summer. Often laughed and told stories about all the "antics" Donna Gail, Johnny and Mitzi got into. She was thankful no one was seriously injured that crazy summer. Wanda enjoyed traveling, she went to Hawaii and enjoyed cruises with her friends, summers in Wyoming, drives to Oregon, Texas and Arizona to visit John M's family and drives to Oklahoma to visit her father's family. Wanda was caretaker by nature, which she inherited from her mother. She was always thinking about her family, extended family and her many friends. She loved Elvis Presley and collected his memorabilia, books, and records, collected vintage jewelry all her life and called it "her retirement account." Wanda could not miss a yard sale on any weekend, estate sale, or a chance to find a bargain. In 1981, Wanda and her sister, Bertha Hutto, opened My Sister's Thrift Shop at the corner of Alameda and Three Crosses Ave in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A year later, Wanda and John M opened their own second-hand furniture store, New & Used Necessities. The business was located at several different locations around Las Cruces before it ended up right back where My Sister's Thrift Shop was first opened. The duo, often at odds with each other, operated the store together for over 35 years, buying, cleaning, and selling furniture and other treasures Wanda enjoyed. Their store was a success, not only because they worked very hard, but because New & Used Necessities became a place family, friends, and customers an opportunity to browse and socialize. Sit out under the tree by the side of the store. Gather around an old turquoise desk inside the store. New & Used Necessities closed its doors in 2018. Wanda is survived by her son, Johnny Wyatt Jr, daughter, Mitzi D Wyatt, sister, Bertha Hutto, grandsons, Gary Joseph Wyatt (Kristin), Alexander Joseph Wyatt (Ruth), great-grandsons, Mason Wyatt, Ryan Wyatt, twins, Dante John Wyatt and Ezra John Wyatt, sister-in-law Billie Goodin, brother-in-law Gordon Wyatt (Glenda) Gary's mother Cindy Dobson (Tim), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Jake Sawyers, mother Helene Sawyers, brother Donald Sawyers, and his wife Arlene, her husband John M, and her favorite cousin "Willie Boy". Per Wanda's request, she will be cremated, her ashes will be laid to rest between her mother and father at Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her husband John M's ashes were laid to rest at Missionary Ridge Cemetery, located in the middle of the desert in Mesquite, New Mexico. His ashes placed at the feet of his older brother Carl Dale. Wanda "jokingly" request to her daughter was "Don't you dare bury me in the middle of that God awful hot sandy desert with John M. I want to be with my mother where there are trees and grass" Some of her ashes will be placed with her husband, John M, at Missionary Ridge Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on April 24th, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Getz Funeral Home located at 1410 E Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Wanda's name.