Wanda Lee Hensley's Obituary
Wanda Lee Christenberry HensleyWanda Lee Hensley passed away August 7, 2017, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A lifelong Tulsa resident, born January 10, 1929, she was preceded in death by her husband of almost 67 years, Robert J. Hensley, her mother Pearl Lee Markham Christenberry Seawright, her father Affie Benjamin Christenberry, her step-father Claude Nathaniel Seawright, her twin brother Warren Dee Christenberry, and brother Delbert Donmeyer. She had three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Children include: Robert Joseph Hensley, Jr. (Nadine) of Lummi Island, Washington, Ronald Lee Hensley (Barbara) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Dawna Gayle Nicholson (Scott) of Coweta, Oklahoma. Grandchildren include: Summer Nicholson, Raymond, Nebraska, Chris Hensley, Great Falls, Montana, Matthew Nicholson, Oklahoma City, Kyle Hensley (Jessica), Broken Arrow, Holly Hensley, Tulsa, and Jessica Kauffman (John) of Edmond. Great grand-children include: Grant Gengenbach, Seth Hensley, Everett Kauffman, Luke Hensley, and Oakley Jones.Wanda graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1947. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who cherished spending time with family. She always invited family and friends to events and gatherings, and would never exclude anyone. She welcomed all newcomers to the family with a hug and open heart making sure they knew they belonged in the Hensley clan. Growing up in west Tulsa, she loved to roller skate, dance, and socialize. Her diaries indicate she read her bible almost daily, and regularly attended the Nogales Baptist Church. A trip to San Diego one summer in high school was a precursor to a lifetime of travel adventures. Wanda had four passions in life: family, shopping, houses, and travel. Her love of family always came first and foremost to her, she was known to shop all day and into the late night with an endless amount of energy, buying or building numerous houses for family, and she loved to travel the world visiting every continent more than once.Wanda had an insatiable curiosity to know and understand people, and an ability to empathize with them. She never knew a stranger because once she met someone she would ask them lots of questions in order to know them better. Mom was anything but a cookie cutter type of person. When God made her, he wanted someone unique so he broke the mold afterward because he seemed to think that this Wanda would be enough for the world.Wanda, a beautiful wonderful person will be missed. As she transitioned to hospice care during her final days, there were numerous people who visited her. They expressed their fondness and kindness for her. There were family, friends, nurses, physical therapists, CNAs, waiters, cooks, janitors, and fellow residents telling her good-bye. The most common quote we heard from them in the final days of her life were, “I will miss you Miss Wanda, you were my favorite”.The Hensley family expresses their deep appreciation and thankfulness to the caring Grace Hospice nurses and chaplain and the staff at Montereau Retirement Center. The family, especially her brothers, would like to thank Dawna for going above and beyond all expectations in her compassionate devotion to Mom.Family will greet friends at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10th. A celebration of life funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11 at Floral Haven Funeral Home with a reception at 4:30 at the City View Lounge, sixth floor, at Montereau Retirement Community in Tulsa.Flowers may be sent to Floral Haven Cemetery, Broken Arrow OR donations may be sent to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas, 75284-1125 OR the Alzheimer’s Association of Oklahoma at 2448 E. 81st, Suite 3000, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74137 OR to the Friends of Hospice Foundation – Grace Hospice at P.O. Box 35894, Tulsa Oklahoma, 74153-0894 (online at fohrok.org).Friends may send their condolences to www.floralhaven.com
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