Wanda Mae Lafferty

Wanda Mae Helton Lafferty of Russellville, Arkansas died peacefully at her home on 9 January 2023. Wanda was born on 26 February 1943 in Batesville, Arkansas to Harse Husten Helton and Martha Lucille Long. She married Othal Ray Lafferty on 29 September 1972 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Together they raised their three children: David Ray Lafferty, Dennis Ray Lafferty, and Keri Michelle Lafferty. When Wanda became a grandmother, she jokingly decided she should be called Groovy Granny. That name stuck and she became affectionately known as “Groovy” by family and friends. Groovy was extremely proud of all her grandchildren. Wanda was a long-time employee of Solvay Pharmaceuticals where she worked her way up from an office clerk in Little Rock to managing one of the company’s largest distribution facilities in Atlanta, GA. She attended Petite Jean Community College but when people asked her where she graduated from, she would energetically tell them she graduated from the University of Life! Wanda also loved animals, adopting many strays, and providing supplies to local animal shelters.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Lafferty, her father, Harse Helton, her mother Lucille Cain; her stepfather, Joe Cain; her sisters, Donnie Porter, and Linda Cain; her brother-in-law Darrel Porter, and her nephew David Porter. She is survived by her son Dennis (Lavon) Lafferty of Wake Forest, NC; her daughter, Keri Lafferty of Russellville, AR; her stepson David Lafferty of England Arkansas; her five grandchildren, Kimberly Gray, Alyssa (Zach) Cordell, Devan Gray (Brad Millsap), Tristen Lafferty and Makayla Lafferty; and her four great grandchildren, Jason Gray, Monroe Cordell, Lane Cordell, and Crosby Cordell; her sister Elaine Cofer of Benton, AR, her brother Ronnie Cain (Maria) of Austen, TX, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, 21 January 2023 at 1:30pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at  3901 Quail Run Drive, Little Rock, AR. Interment will follow at Salem East End Cemetery, 21101 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, AR.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Out of Ashes Animal Rescue.