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Wlaf1450Wanda Lee McKamey Lovely, of Lenior City formerly of Caryville, died peacefully next to the love of her life on April 26th, 2026.
Wanda was introduced to her husband of 69 years, JC, through his mother, Opal. Wanda and Opal worked together at a carhop, and Opal convinced her to go out with her son. Although she was afraid of water, their first date was at the pool!
She boarded a ship at 17 years old to uproot her life and move to Germany with her new husband. She spent 10 days on the ship, alone, never having left the country before.
She caught the travel bug and road tripped through all 50 states with JC and her Air Force family friends, the Clappers. She went to Egypt and all through Europe. She climbed the Eiffel Tower at 60 years old. She visited the Holy Lands at 79 to accomplish her lifelong dream of seeing where Jesus lived and died.
Family was always the most important element of her life. The McKamey clan are close knit, and Wanda passed this value to her own family. She loved being a stay-at-home mom to her 4 children, and was always active, leading her England-based Girl Scout troop to the Girl Scout chalet in Switzerland.
This past Easter, she sat contentedly on the couch, watching JC cook and 17 family members sit around the living room and talk. She was a true matriarch.
Grandma Wanda never hesitated to take her grandchildren to all the fun things — movies (with all the popcorn and candy), DollyWood, and Chuck E. Cheese. Whatever friend was at the house was always invited and given a hug and a “love ya!” on the way out the door. She was the perfect bicoastal grandmother to her California and Tennessee grandkids, and every baby she met would settle down as soon as they were in her arms.
She always had her hair and nails (French tip) done every three weeks, because she deserved it.
She loved Elvis, ruthlessly playing poker (nicknamed “The Black Widow”), potato soup from Aubrey’s, and anything with lemon or coconut. She even occasionally enjoyed a Jack and Diet Coke in a tall glass, if the occasion called for it.
She missed her mom every day since she passed in 1992, and now they are finally together again.
She is survived by her husband JC Lovely, her 4 children: Mary Kathryn (Kathy) Rhodes, Sandra (Sandy) Lovely, Michael (Mick) Lovely, William (Bill) Lovely; and 8 grandchildren.
Wanda ended every one of her texts and calls exactly the same way we will — Love Ya!
A memorial service is planned for 3 PM, June 13th, 2026 at Cross-Smith Funeral Home in Lafollette, to commemorate the date of her and JC’s 70th wedding anniversary.
Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home
Condolences for the family of Wanda Lee McKamey Lovely may be given at http://www.cross-smithfuneralhome.com