Wanda Ralph Cummings Young, 81, of Wilmar went to be with her Lord
and Savior Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Belleview Estates
Rehabilitation and Care Center in Monticello.
She was born March 1, 1941 in Pine Bluff to the late Ralph Jackson
and Lettie Ratliff Cummings. She was preceded in death by her husband of
53 years Robert L. ''Diddle'' Young Sr. who lovingly referred to her as ''Sugar
Babe'', one sister Everly Glover and one brother Qwinten Cummings along
with her in laws DC ''Tab'' and Edna Glennon Young.
Wanda was known by many names. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, wife,
mother, Nanny, friend, nurse to all and Doctor to some. She never stopped
nursing people even as her health was failing. She loved to do research
and come up with the perfect care plan. She used to joke that one day she
would have to retire her nursing shingle, but not today. She has helped so
many people with her love of nursing. Wanda began her career in the old
Drew Memorial Hospital. She loved to reminisce about the good ole days
while working in that hospital with nurses who became her life long friends.
When Dr. Paul Wallick opened Monticello Medical Clinic Wanda became
not only his clinical nurse but his surgical nurse also. She loved being in
the operating room. After a brief retirement, Wanda returned to her roots
and Drew Memorial Hospital where she became a case manager. She was
always advocating for her patients. She purchased the first Moses basket
for the hospital. She delivered many babies on her own and knew how
important it was for a mother who had lost their baby to be able to say
goodbye. She loved and cherished her sisterhood of nurses and friends
from Drew Memorial.
Wanda was a past member of the Drew County Chapter of the American
Red Cross where she served in the offices of secretary and president. The
Red Cross was always dear to her heart. She is a past member of the
Drew Memorial Hospital Board. No one loved their hospital more than she
did. She was a past member of the Democratic Women of Drew County,
Business and Professional Women of Drew County and a member of
Wilmar Baptist Church.
She is survived by her three children Von (Sandra) Young, Tammy (Robert)
Stafford and Beth (Bruce) Davis; five grandchildren Kristy (Andrew) and
Nikki (Joe) Young, Brandon (Anne) Stafford, Kerri (Kirt) Sledge and Kailyn
(Dane) Davis; five great-grandchildren Olivia, Addison, Averi, Chase,
Canyon and another precious great grandson Davis Lake due in October;
one step sister, Jane Fritt, along with numerous nieces, nephews and
friends. Memorials may be made to the Wilmar Cemetery Association PO
Box 132 Wilmar, 71675, Drew Memorial Hospital Foundation or the
American Red Cross.
