Wendy Leigh McFarland, 55, entered into rest on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Wendy was born on January 7, 1967, in Ocilla, Georgia. She is survived by her mother, Linda Wynn Moyer; her sister, Dana, and brother-in-law, Sam, and their children Samuel, Jenn, MaryFrances, and Bailey; her brother, Steven; and her sister, Stephanie, and brother-in-law, Ron, and their children, Linda Grace, Joseph, and Micah.
Wendy is preceded in death by her father, James Kenneth McFarland; her paternal grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. James Archie McFarland; her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elzie Bill Wynn; her stepfather, William Joseph Moyer; and stepmother, Faye Tomasich McFarland.
Wendy was a 1985 graduate of Irwin County High School and a graduate of Mercer University, where she was a member of the Psi Gamma chapter of the Chi Omega fraternal organization. Wendy graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in English/ Communications and Theatre Arts.
After university, Wendy returned to her high school alma mater, where she taught for thirty-two years. Wendy served as an English-Language Arts and drama teacher, as well as a teacher of the gifted. She was also a sponsor of the International Thespian Troupe 2417, a literary coach, a one-act play director, a regional literary and one-act host, and a debate team coach. Over the years, she was also a softball and track coach and a coach and district coordinator for Academic Bowl. Wendy was named the National Federation of State High School Association’s Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator in 2019-2020. The dedication ceremony of the McFarland Theatre at Irwin County High School this past spring was the highlight of her career.
Wendy was a member of Satilla Baptist Church, served as president of the local Arts Council, and was a member of the executive board at the South Georgia Arts Alliance. She was also a long-time member of the Delta Kappa Gamma professional honorary organization of women educators, where she served as president for four years.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the McFarland Theatre on Saturday, December 17, at 2:30, and the funeral will follow at 4:00. The Reverend Rex Johnson will officiate. Parker Guy, Gavin Guy, Sam Guy, Jeffrey Griffin, Mitchell Moore, and Chip Rankin will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Delta Kappa Gamma c/o Pam Haire 1229 Waterloo Highway, Chula, Georgia 31733; International Thespian Troupe 2417 c/o Irwin County High School 149 Chieftain Circle, Ocilla, Georgia 31774; or the American Cancer Society 250 Williams Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.