Viranda I. Slappy

“ . . . they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint”, Isaiah 40:31

Viranda Irene Slappy, 67, received her angel wings on February 7, 2025. She departed peacefully at the Good Shepherd hospice house in Manhattan, Kansas.

Viranda was born on June 27, 1957, in Macon, Georgia, the daughter of the late Willie James Nottingham, Sr. and Viriam Purnell Bowman. She married John Cecil Slappy, Sr. on May 3, 1975, in Macon, GA. They are the parents of two children, Zsashamica Demetricus McCray and John Cecil Slappy, Jr.

Viranda was affectionately known by her family and friends as “Ran". She graduated from Northeast High School,Macon, Georgia, and Los Angeles Community College. She earned an Associates Degree from Central Texas College, Fort Riley, Kansas.

The family settled in Junction City, Kansas, in July 1996, after retiring from military service at Fort Riley, Kansas. She was employed with the Department of Defense, Army Benefits Center-Civilian at Fort Riley, Kansas, as a Human Resources Specialist. She retired in 2010, having received many awards for her outstanding performance as a benefits counselor.

Viranda was recognized throughout her life for her many accomplishments. She was a member of, Past Matron of St.Tabitha Chapter, Order of the Eastern Stars; Past Commandress of Heriones of Jericho, Past Commandress Daughter of Isis; Cyrenes of Prince Hall of Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry of Kansas Jurisdiction, former host and producer of Express Yourself Radio Talk Show, NAACP. She was a writer/reporter for the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association, Bison Chapter, Fort Riley, Kansas.

She was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Junction City, Kansas, and writer/reporter for the church’s Uplifter Newsletter and member of the Senior Choir. She was also a member of New Home Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia.

Viranda is the author of three novels: Til Death Do Us Part: A Marriage Survives the Stress of Military Life, Generation Impact; An American Family’s Turmoils and Vision of Change Sequel of Til Death Do Us Part. Her books were promoted through TV and radio guest appearances in Atlanta, Georgia, Macon, Georgia, Topeka, Kansas, and the local area.

In addition to writing, Viranda loved dancing, singing, listening to music and vacationing with family and friends. Her homemade sweet potato pies were always a big hit at church dinners and holiday bake sales. She loved people, and it was always “the more, the merrier” if she had anything to do with it.

Viranda leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 49 years, John Slappy, Sr., of the home; her two beloved children, Zsashamica D. (Elijah) McCray, Lawrence Kansas and John C. Slappy, Jr., Overland Park, Kansas; her three beautiful grandchildren, Janiyah Viriam McCray, Gevion Kimbrel Slappy and Braidan Michael Odell, Olathe, Kansas; one sister, Patricia (Glenn) Fitzpatrick; brothers, Willie James Nottingham, Jr. and Michael (Angela) Nottingham; nieces LaShawn (Chris) Garey and Shameki Nottingham and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Those who met her in her heavenly home are her parents, Viriam P. Bowman and Willie James Nottingham, Sr.; grandparents, Thomas and Willie Mae Purnell; uncles, aunts and other relatives and friends.

Special thanks to caregivers Natasha Koebernick, Courless Bonner, Dorothy Shook, and Hattie Bailey. Viranda will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation is Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the Johnson and Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home, 203 N. Washington St., Junction City, Kansas. Bishop William M. Ocean will officiate. Interment at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery has been postponed for Friday, February 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

To share a special memory of Viranda or leave a special message for her family, please click the "share memories" button above.