Wanda Lou Smalley
Graveside services for Wanda Smalley, 82, Eakly resident, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015, in the Eakly Cemetery in Eakly, officiated by Rev. Lynn Brack and Rev. Virgil Payne and under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton.
Visitation will be until 8 p.m. today (Thursday, April 2, 2015) and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday April 3, 2015, at the Kiesau Lee Funeral Home.
The family will greet guests at the First United Methodist Church in Eakly from 10 a.m. until 12 noon Saturday, April 4, 2015.
Wanda Lou Seymour Smalley was born in Alamosa, Colo. on Oct. 5, 1932. Wanda experienced an amazing life full of changes and excitement that was 82 years long.
Wanda accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was raised in Oklahoma City, Okla. and graduated from Southeast High School in 1949.
Wanda met her future husband, Earl “Bud” Smalley, while working in downtown Oklahoma City. They were married on Jan. 19, 1953. This union of 63 years was blessed with many memories, adventures and travels.
While in the military, an Alaskan adventure evolved into homesteading on a newly opened Kenia Peninsula and they welcomed daughter No. 1, Judy Gail, in 1955. Moving back to Oklahoma, daughter No. 2, Caren Ann, was born in Oklahoma City in 1956.
The adventure continued with Bud and Wanda’s journey back to the Smalley family farm in Eakly, Okla.in 1960, where Wanda became a “farmer’s wife.” She quickly became involved with the Eakly community, which included the Home Demonstration Club, her daughter’s school activities, and the Eakly First United Methodist Church. The church remained a central focus for the rest of her life.
She also embraced the large Smalley family weekends. Canning, sewing, gardening and raising chickens were all part of Wanda’s life.
Changes continued with welcoming daughter No. 3, Susan Renee, in 1961 and daughter No. 4, Nancy Ruth, in 1963.
Wanda’s family and friends have many memories of this amazing woman who seemed able to adapt to any change. As a young woman she loved dancing, high heels, and Broadway plays. Wanda loved to play the “Boogie Woogie” on the piano and walk the ivory keys like Tommie Dorsey.
She made the award winning sand plum jelly every year for the local fairs, and somehow had four girls in matching homemade dresses and curled hair every Sunday.
Wanda received her Heavenly reward on April 1, 2015 at the family home in Eakly. She is preceded in death by her parents, W. R. “Colonel” and Cora Seymour; one brother, Eldon Seymour; a nephew, Richard Seymour; and her loving husband, Bud.
Wanda is survived by her four daughters and their families: Judy and Mike Wilkes of Moore, Okla. and their children, Jacqueline and Luke Harrison, of Denver, Colo., Capt. Travis Wilkes of Yakota Air Force Base, Japan, Austin and Meagan Wilkes and son, Evan, of Newcastle, Okla., and Bryan and Haleigh Wilkes, and son, Jeremiah, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Caren and David Wall, of Owasso, Okla., and their children, Dustin and Lindsey Wall, of Edmond, Okla., and Derek and Chelsie Wall, of Bethany, Okla.; Susan and Ken Rose, of Weatherford, Okla. and their children, D’Ann and Jeff Berrong, David Rose, Wesly Smalley Rose, and Tiler Smalley Rose, all of Weatherford, Okla.; Nancy and Jimmie Hinz, of Corn, Okla. and their children, Brandon and Lexi Hinz, and son, Joe, and Courtney and Dewrell Bryan, their son, Gavin, and daughter, Rylee, all of Weatherford, Okla; 3 sisters-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial donations in her honor may be made to the Eakly United Methodist Church or Eakly Cemetery Fund.
(Paid Obituary)