Mrs. DeWanda H. Martin, 61, of Fruitdale, AL passed from this life Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, MS. She was born in Waynesboro, MS on Thursday, November 16, 1961 to Waynis and Sue K. Henderson. Wanda was currently employed at Olin Inc. as a lab manager. She retired from Ciba (BASF) in 2008 after 25 years of service. On June 10th, 1983, Wanda married the absolute love of her life and best friend, Gary Martin. In 1986, they had the joy of their life, their daughter, Jaica Thomas. As much as Wanda loved Jaica, nothing compared to how much she loved and adored her "monkeys," Nathan and Ava. Wanda was an absolute beautiful soul who was selfless and giving. She always saw the good in everyone she met and every situation. She opened her heart and her home to several international students through a foreign exchange program. She loved them all very much. Through her work, it gave her great joy to share her love of chemistry with international lab interns. Wanda is preceded in death by husband, Gary Martin; grandparents, C.P. Heathcock, Margie Heathcock, L.N. Kittrell, Doris Kittrell Douglas, and George Douglas. Wanda is survived by parents, Wayne and Sue Henderson of Fruitdale, AL; daughter, Jaica Thomas (Ben) of Laurel, MS, sister, Paula Rogers (Wayne) of Hattiesburg, MS; two grandchildren, Nathan and Ava; two nephews, Matt and Zach; countless precious family members and friends. Visitation for Mrs. Martin will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Jesse Long, III and Brandon Bollinger officiating. Interment will be in Grace Williams Cemetery in Fruitdale, AL. Pallbearers are Jeremy Carr, Matt Rogers, Ben Thomas, Dennis McRae, Kerney Kittrell, and Zach Rogers. Honorary Pallbearers are Bill Britton, Cliff Sheffield, Wayne Rogers, Roy Ratcliff, Fred Carr, and Louis Kittrell. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation.