March 30, 2014

Wanda “Wink” Denise Cousin Leverette was born March 9, 1964 in Picayune, Miss., to Beatrice Lowe Cousin and the late Jacob Cousin.

Wanda graduated from Picayune Memorial High School in 1982 and continued on to graduate from Phillips Community College as a Medical Assistant. For nearly 30 years, Wand held multiple healthcare-related positions, and her most recent employment was as an Office Manager with LA Heart Hospital in Picayune, Miss.

At an early age, Wanda united with St. Matthew Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. E.J. Woodward. Throughout her life, she was a faithful member of the church. As a youth, she was a member of the Girls Auxiliary (GA Girls), Jr. Choir, Jr. Prayer Band and Baptist Training Union (BTU). During her adult life, she was a prolific server of her church involved in the Nurses Guild, Kitchen Committee (The Tea Specialist), Assistant Sunday School Teachers for the Young Ladies Class #3, Youth Advisor, Bible School, Food Bank, Liturgical Praise Dance Ministry, Finance Department, Assistant Church Clerk, Youth Bible Study Teacher, and the Jr. Mission Auxiliary.

Wanda was a bright light to every person she ever met. She made everyone she came in contact with feel speial and loved. She was the life of every party and knew how to make the most of every opportunity in life. Wanda boldly carried the light that God gave her and had a passion for helping people. She leaves a legacy as a mother not only to her five nieces, but to many of the children at St. Matthew’s and the surrounding communities.

Wanda was called home to glory on Sunday, March 30, 2014. She was preceded in death by: her father, Jacob Cousin, and her grandparents, Johnny and Ophelia Lowe, and Arnold and Emma Cousin.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her mother, Willie B. Cousin; one sister, Robin (Vic) McLaurin of Amarillo, Texas; one brother, Ronald (Natasha) Cousin of Picayune, Miss.; five nieces: April McLaurin of Pearland, Texas, Ashley McLaurin of Dallas, Texas, and Skyler McLaurin (Rui) Jiang of Amarillo, Lauren Cousin and Morgan Williams of Picayune, three uncles: Charles “Bud” (Rose) Lowe of Picayune, Johnny “Gregg” Lowe of Houston, Texas, and Joe (Rose) Biggs of Picayune; one aunt, Willa “Sis” Cousin of Houston; godparents, Louis and Julia Mae Malone; three godsons: Caleb Boston, Riley Bolden, and Joshua Mitco Gibson of Picayune; one goddaughter, Krisztina Michelle Gibson of Picayune; one godsister, Jasmine Dunn of Atlanta, Ga.; “special friends and sisters”, Deborah “Bora” Noel and Monique Goff of Picayune; and a host of relatives and friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at St. Matthew Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Viewing is prior to the services from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be in the Picayune Cemetery under the direction of Baylous Funeral Home.