Born on May 2, 1943, in Bladen County, Wanda was the daughter of the late Cecil Cook and Ada Gibson Cook. She was raised farming with her family, where she learned the value of hard work, faith, and family from an early age.

Wanda spent several years working at Whiteville Apparel, where she specialized in setting collars for men's suits. She later returned to farm work alongside her in-law family, spending countless hours planting, tending, and harvesting tobacco—work she genuinely enjoyed and took great pride in. Of all the jobs she held throughout her life, the one closest to her heart was serving as a nursing assistant, providing compassionate care to elderly individuals in their homes. She considered it a privilege to care for others and made lasting friendships through her work.

In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth "Buck" Bass; her brothers, "Sunny Boy" Cook, Robert Cook, and Morris Cook; and her sisters, Pauline Schaub and Jeanette Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Cammie Burney (Mike); her sons, Patrick Bass and Adam Bass; her grandchildren, Micah Burney (Ashley), Jessica Burney Smith (Dusty), Chasity Ortiz (Chris), and Courtney Long (Nathan), Kade Bass; her great-grandchildren, Hunter Wood, Kynzlee Wood, Aadynn Burney, Emmie Long, Owen Long, Theo Ortiz, Peyton Burney, Holland Smith, Wyatt Burney, and Craven Smith; her sister, Pam Sessoms (Henry); her daughter-in-law, Lori Bass; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 2 to 3 pm at New Center Baptist Church, 19894 NC-131 Hwy, Bladenboro, NC 28320. Funeral services will follow at 3pm in the church. Burial will follow at Western Prong Baptist Church Cemetery, 167 Peacock Rd, Whiteville, NC 28472

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Online condolences may be shared at www.jerniganwarren.com.