O B I T U A R Y

Wanda Franklin Blaydes Coffey, age 84, of the Little Barren Community in Green County, Kentucky, left her earthly home on August 3, 2026, after a beautifully simple and full life.

Wanda was born on December 4, 1941, in the Good Luck Community of Metcalfe County, Kentucky, to the late Homer and Dorothy Franklin. Her childhood was one of simpler times—a loving family, Sundays in church, chores in the home and garden, and countless hours playing with her many cousins. Wanda loved sharing stories from those early years. Her favorites included the day her baby brother, David Franklin, was born; helping slaughter hogs, where nothing ever went to waste (her favorite being cold packed meat); rolling her daddy's soft hair in pin curls; sitting beside her mother at the sewing machine; and the unforgettable day electricity finally came to their home.

Wanda graduated as salutatorian of her class from Metcalfe County High School and faithfully attended class reunions throughout the years, always enjoying reconnecting with classmates and hearing about their lives.

In 1959, Wanda married Charles Blaydes, and together they made their home in Metcalfe County. On August 27, 1961, they welcomed their beloved daughter, Tammy Jo Blaydes. As a young family, Wanda and Charles poured their hearts into raising Tammy. Tragically, after only six years of marriage, Charles passed away from colon cancer, leaving Wanda a young widow with a four-year-old daughter. She often expressed deep gratitude for the love and unwavering support of her family during one of the most difficult seasons of her life.

In 1968, Wanda married a love from her younger years, Willard "Bill" Coffey of Green County. Their rekindled romance was built upon years of life experience, heartache, growth, and enduring love. Together they blended their family with Wanda's daughter, Tammy, and Bill's daughter, Pamela. During their early years of marriage, they lived in Louisville and later Chicago. Though Wanda was a simple girl from rural Kentucky, she loved the excitement and energy of city life. One of her most treasured memories from those years was attending a crusade and seeing Billy Graham preach in Chicago—an experience that remained close to her heart throughout her life. In July of 1975, after much pleading from Tammy, Bill and Wanda welcomed their son, Brian Shannon. Shortly after Brian's birth, they returned home to the Little Barren Community of Green County, where they built the home, they would lovingly share for the remainder of their lives. Wanda and Bill would be married for 47 years until his passing in 2015.

Throughout her career, Wanda worked in several different roles, but she especially treasured her time with Wilson Sporting Goods in Chicago, Illinois, and later with Kentucky Farm Bureau in Greensburg, Kentucky. During her years at Kentucky Farm Bureau, she formed lifelong friendships with Joe Davis, Mitchell Wright, Tammy Davis, and the late Larkie Hudgins and Thelma Curry.

A faithful servant of the Lord, Wanda was a devoted member of Little Barren Separate Baptist Church. She loved her church family and quietly served as the church's secretary and treasurer for many years. Her faith was steadfast and unwavering, providing strength through every season of her life. Those who knew her admired the quiet confidence she carried, rooted in her trust in God. Family was the cornerstone of Wanda's life. There was nothing she loved more than gathering everyone together around her table, especially on Sundays when she alongside her daughter, Tammy, prepared meals for those they loved. She found great joy in watching her family grow and flourish and took immense pride in every accomplishment. She celebrated each college graduation with excitement, but she was especially delighted in the fact that her daughter, Tammy Jo, and granddaughter, Anna Jade, attended "The" University of Kentucky—a point of pride she never missed an opportunity to mention.

During the last two years of her life, one of Wanda's greatest blessings was the loving care she received from her son, Brian. Living nearby allowed him to be by her side each day, a gift for which she was endlessly grateful. Their days were filled with the simple moments Wanda treasured most—watching University of Kentucky basketball games together, sharing tomato sandwiches, and enjoying one another's company. Each morning, Brian greeted her with a fresh cup of coffee, a small act of kindness that absolutely delighted her. Late each evening, Wanda would lovingly insist that he head home before he fell asleep. She never let a day pass without thanking her family, expressing over and over again how grateful she was for their love, their time, and their care. Those quiet, ordinary moments became some of life's most extraordinary blessings.

Her grandchildren were among Wanda's greatest joys and the source of immense pride. Each shared a special bond with their Nana and carries treasured memories that will last a lifetime. Her comforting back rubs became a love language all their own, and no one loved them more than Dayni Rose. Wanda always made sure there was ice cream in the freezer waiting for River Lee, knowing it would bring a smile to his sweet face. Anna Jade could always count on Nana to discover an unexpected treasure while browsing Goodwill or yard sales—whether it was a keepsake, a bargain too good to pass up, or a pair of Reef flip-flops that are a staple in Anna's wardrobe.

Wanda found happiness in life's simple pleasures. For many years, she could often be found sitting at her sewing machine, carefully sewing clothes for herself. It wasn't unusual for Wanda to make several outfits at a time, taking great pride in creating her own wardrobe with patience, skill, and care. She also loved researching her family's genealogy, tracing family trees, visiting/researching cemeteries, discovering where generations of relatives were buried, and preserving the stories of those who came before her. She loved searching for treasures at Goodwill, stopping at every yard sale she could find, and seeing just how many miles she could put on a Honda. She enjoyed people-watching, keeping up with current events on Fox News, and later in life became quite attached to her iPad and Facebook, where she loved following the lives of family and friends. She adored country music legends Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, and if there were fresh tomatoes on the table, Wanda was a happy woman—they were without question her favorite food.

Among her favorite adventures later in life were traveling with her daughter-in-law, Joy and dear friend, Laura, to visit Laura's family in the Amish community. Wanda treasured that trip, enjoying the peaceful drive, admiring the simple way of life, and, most of all, seeing the way they live.

Anyone who knew Wanda also knew her wonderful quirks. Dust was her lifelong enemy, and she considered aluminum foil one of the greatest inventions ever made. She firmly believed that if rain touched your head, you would get sick. During Christmas gatherings, if playing Dirty Santa, Wanda never wanted to steal someone else's gift—she simply delighted in unwrapping whatever surprise was waiting for her.

Wanda was humble in the kitchen, but her family always requested her grilled cheese sandwiches, salmon patties, chili with noodles, fried potatoes, and her famous lemon meringue pie.

Though physically small in stature—with a single dimple on her left cheek, a freckle on her iris, and a gentle presence—Wanda's love, strength, and influence were immeasurable. She lived with humility, kindness, resilience, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

Her legacy is not found in grand possessions but in faithful living, steadfast love, enduring faith, and a family forever shaped by her example. Her life reminds us that the simplest lives are often the richest, and the quietest acts of love leave the deepest imprint.

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She leaves behind her son, Brian Coffey and his wife Joy and their children Anna Jade, Dayni Rose and River Lee. One brother David Franklin and his wife Jo, a stepdaughter Pamela Coffey Jones and her husband Clay and their two children Ross and Reagan.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands Charles Blaydes and Willard "Bill" Coffey and her loving daughter, Tammy "T.T." Jo Blaydes.

She was a member of Little Barren Separate Baptist Church. Burial will be in Little Barren Cemetery in Green County, Kentucky at 4:30 P.M., Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Cowherd and Parrott Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and lovingly carried in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

The family has requested that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Hosparus of Green River of the Little Barren Cemetery Fund which can both be made at the funeral home or at the cemetery after the service.

PALLBEARERS:

Bryson Keltner, Timmy Slinker, Todd Conley,

Todd Slinker, Chris Jones

HONORARY PALLBEARERS:

Casey Polson