Wanda A. Metz, 91 of the Flatwoods community, Ravenswood, WV, passed away July 25, 2020 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born April 14, 1929, in Glenville, WV, the first child of the late Shirley and Rema (Wright) Wilfong. In addition to her parents, her brother, Michael D. Wilfong and two of his sons, her beloved nephews, Joshua S. Wilfong, a United States Marine killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, and his brother, Shawn M. Wilfong, and a brother-in-law, Claude White, also preceded her in death.

Always a "go getter", she worked her way through college as a waitress and then as secretary to the Glenville State College dean, Dr. Delmer K. Somerville. She graduated from Glenville State College with a teaching degree in business and a minor in English.

She began her teaching career at Sand Fork High School and later moved to Jackson County to take a position with the Jackson County Board of Education as a business teacher. A few years later she would accept the appointment as coordinator of the Business Co-op Program at Ripley High School where she remained until her retirement. She was also chairman of the Business Education Program from 1975 until retirement. During this time she taught a wide-range of business classes, including the now, long-gone shorthand and served under the guidance of five principals.

Wanda was dedicated to the Co-op Program and enjoyed matching the students to businesses where they would do the best. Some of those students ended up with permanent positions. Her annual Co-op Banquet at Cedar Lakes in the spring was always an event the local business community looked forward to.

Per a fellow teacher, "She was always a knowledgeable teacher and a strict disciplinarian; but she was always compassionate, caring and fair. She touched many lives and helped educate skilled and successful office workers, many of which are still working in positions using the skills that she helped them build."

One of her Sand Fork business students said, "She was one the greatest teachers I ever had. I remember your mom always smiling and making us feel like we were going to be somebody, someday. When others may have been negative, she was always positive. Mrs. Metz wasn't just a teacher; she was a major player in shaping young lives. I don't know if she realized how much she influenced us and how much we loved her, not only as a teacher but as the special lady she truly was."

Wanda was a member of the National Education Association and the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees. Her hobbies included reading, gardening, canning, farming, helping her neighbors and keeping up with her two grandchildren. She was also a member of the Flatwoods United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Donald E. Metz; daughter, Melissa Thompson (Paul) of Cottageville; granddaughters, Rebecca Thompson West (Bradley) and Rayne Thompson; brothers, Freeman Wilfong (Maria) of Medina, OH, and Leonard Wilfong (Lola) of Parkersburg; sister, Sharon Sue White of Parkersburg, and many nieces and nephews.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV, with Pastor Vera Archer officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Wright Cemetery on Duck Run in Gilmer County at the convenience of the family, this fall.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to: Jackson County Hunting Heroes (Wounded Warrior Project), 1715 Lower Parchment Valley Road, Ripley, WV 25271.