Iris Anita Emfinger Wade

Mrs. Iris Anita Emfinger Wade of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the age of 95.

Anita is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, James Daniel “Dick” Wade and her son, Mark Alan Wade (Carolyn). Anita is lovingly remembered by her remaining two sons, James Austin Wade (Linda) and Richard Stanley Wade (Rena); seven grandchildren, Tyler McCollum (Adam), Jessica Luhar (Rushi), Jonathan Wade (Michelle), Stacey Wade (Matt), Jay Wade, Dallas Hammond (Jason) and Tara Rae Phillips (Daniel); seven great grandchildren, Jonny Wade, L.J. Lowe, Ryder Lowe, Savannah Lowe, Grace Luhar, Ada Luhar and Raelee Phillips; brother, Jimmy Emfinger and many nieces and nephews.

Anita worked at Riverside Cottage (cotton mill) for 5 years. After moving to Montgomery she attended Business School and worked for the State of Alabama for 30 years as Secretary in the Department of Industrial Relations and the Department of Transportation where she retired.

While happily married to her husband, James D. Wade (Dick) they lived in Tallassee, Montgomery and Eclectic. She was a member of First Baptist Tallassee, Highland Gardens Baptist in Montgomery and First Baptist of Eclectic and was a member of the choir in each. She was strong in her Faith and her Prayer Life.

She was an expert seamstress designing and making dresses for her granddaughters in their younger years. She was a wonderful cook and she loved to work in the yard and garden. Her home has always been Open House to her family, friends and neighbors. It has always been the gathering place for all family occasions.

She loved her grandchildren and spent lots of time with them as they were growing up. They delighted in “telling on” their Granny Neenie if she said a bad word or did something they did not like. One day when Jay was 5 years old he told me, “Granny Neenie you are old enough to say what you want to….” And so she did.

After Anita and Dick moved back to Tallassee they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary and Dick passed away 2 months later. When she would be shopping, Dick would always find a chair in the store and sit and wait for her just as he has been sitting at the Gate to Heaven waiting for his Nita……that must have been some reunion.

The family will have a private ceremony celebrating Anita’s incredible life well-lived with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.