Wanda Mae Surber Lightner, 87, of Flemingsburg, KY, passed away on Monday, August 11, 2014, after a short illness, surrounded by her family. Wanda was born August 7, 1927, in Clayton, OH, which is near Dayton, OH to Fred C. and Lucy Neff Surber. She formed a trio with her sister Thelma, and their friend Helen Helstern when she was just seven, and they sang (with harmony) for weddings, funerals, banquets, various church and community functions and even once on TV! She graduated from Randolph Township High school. During her junior high and high school years she played piano for Sunday school, church, church choir and the youth department. Wanda got to know Lowell Lightner as they rode together for voice lessons in Dayton, OH. She practiced with him and played for him before they ever started dating. They married on February 1, 1947. They farmed for many years, first with Lowell's father, then in Hillsboro, OH, and then they moved to Flemingsburg, KY in January 1977. They started singing as a family in Hillsboro, OH, when their boys were young, a tradition that has continued through the years, and resulted in one record and two cassette tape recordings. Music continues to flow through the family, largely as a result of her love for it.

Wanda and her husband were both very active in church, first in the Church of the Brethren in Ohio, then in the Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church. After a time in KY, Lowell pastored several small Methodist churches, and Wanda filled the role of pastor's wife. The Lightner family continued to sing for church revivals and various community programs. She, along with many of her family, were active members of the Golden Chord Singers community choir. At the Methodist church, she was active in the church choir, bell choir, and served as rehearsal pianist for the choir. She played and sang 2 mornings a week for the Christian Church nursery school, and she accompanied high school band students for solo and ensemble competition at Morehead State University. She also served briefly as a substitute teacher. At New Creation Praise and Worship Center she sang as part of the praise team and made cards to greet new-comers. Over the years she enjoyed helping on the farm, gardening, bird watching (especially cardinals), doing puzzles, cooking, various church activities, crafting, card making and giving piano lessons. She taught piano lessons for many years and had many, many students, including her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In May 1994, she was named "Lady of the Year" at the 22nd annual Gamma Kappa Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi banquet. She loved music, her family, and her Lord and savior Jesus Christ, all of which was evident in the way she lived her life.

She is survived by: three sons; Mark (Becky) Lightner of Flemingsburg, Dave Lightner of Flemingsburg, and John (Barbie) Lightner of Douglasville, Georgia; 8 grandchildren; Alicia (Jack) Adkins of Maysville; Chris (Donita) Lightner and Brian Lightner all of Lexington, KY; Justin Lightner and Abbey Lightner, both of Flemingsburg; Bradley (Jennifer) Lightner of Villa Rica, GA; Andrew (Emily) Lightner of Whitesburg, GA; and Brandon (Ruthie) Lightner of Temple, GA; 9 great-grandchildren: Nathan, Zachary, Micah and Gabriel Adkins, Lachlan and Lisbeth Lightner, Aubrey Lightner, Anna Grace Lightner, and Claire Lightner. She is also survived by 2 sisters: Thelma (Bob) Biser of Loveland, CO; and Helen Barger of Kissee Mills, MO. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Lowell Lightner, and their infant daughter, Anita Kay Lightner.

A celebration of life will be held at 8 PM Friday August 15, 2014 at New Creation Praise and Worship Center (Helena Road Flemingsburg, KY). Visitation will be from 5 - 8 PM Friday at the church. Services Saturday will be at 2PM at the Salem Church of the Brethren (6037 Phillipsburg Rd. Englewood, OH 45322), visitation will be after 1PM at the church. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery in Randolph Township. OH.

Memorials may be made to Heifer Project International (www.heifer.org or (855) 948-6437), or to the Cancer Care Club of Flemingsburg (info@cancercareclub.com or (606) 748-4524 or PO BOX 189 Flemingsburg, KY 41041).

Friends may sign the guestbook at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com