Wanda Thomas' Obituary
Wanda Jones Thomas is celebrating with Our Lord in Heaven as she passed peacefully from this earth on 08-14-17. She is the beloved daughter of Glenn Thomas Jones and Dessie Mae Pope born on 07-25-37 in Beggs, OK. After graduating from Beggs High School in 1955, she attended Oklahoma Baptist University earning her BA in 1966 and worked as an executive secretary for then Chancellor, Dr. John Wesley Raley. Wanda went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science degree in 1976. She was once a candidate for Miss Tulsa and has resided in Tulsa, OK the majority of her life.Wanda has been a faithful, unwavering servant of God for all her life and never met a stranger. It brought her great joy to share her love of Jesus with everyone she met and considered it her calling. As she lies here in her hospital bed, the night brightness of the big blue Cross on the hospital wall softly glows into the window of her 14th floor room. She would love to know that. Wanda was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Tulsa, OK for over 40 years where she enjoyed teaching women studies and traveling with her church family and friends, most notably to Israel. Her personal Bible front to back covers are filled with diligent personally written margin notes, jots and scripture. Her first jot: “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” Galatians 5:22 Last jot: “To have peace, I must accept God’s view of my circumstances and rest in his love and power to see me through.” She so loved the Lord. And He so loves her.Wanda spent her working life as a High School English teacher where she taught at Memorial and Hale High Schools and became the English department head in the Tulsa Public School system. There, she passionately taught and led her students by astute example and utmost character for over 30 years until her retirement. Her excitement lived in guiding her students to learn, excel and thrive. She notably earned The National Board Teacher Certificate in English Language Arts in 1999, a title whom few have accomplished.Mrs. Thomas was a beautiful soul, inside and out and a generous spirit who gave graciously to those in need. She was a lovely lady, who looked impeccable whether she dressed in her OU sweatshirt or church attire. She purchased and sported an adorable purple wig in her last days. Her best look. She loved to visit historic sites, dance, teach and master speed reading at 3000 words per minute. Wanda was blessed with a humorous and quirky wit. Very smart and sharp. If you ever met her, you’ve heard her say “I love it” or “That’s wonderful.” She told her doctors she was “Just too young and too cute to die” in famous “Wandafied” fashion and while hospitalized asked “Is anyone gathering this important information to post on Facebook?” God love her.For all those privileged to know her, Wanda would hope her little light left the world just a little brighter. Her family rejoices in the comfort knowing she is where she was always destined to be as a child of God. “We loved her well.”She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 32 years, Donald P. Thomas of Tulsa, OK and a sister Nina Joyce of Duxbury, MA. She is survived by a sister Glenda Mae Mackey and husband Alvin, of Okmulgee, OK; a brother, Burton Leon Jones and wife Bobi of Beggs, OK; a sister, Anna Lea King and husband Randy of Tulsa, OK; three stepchildren, a daughter Vikki Dawn Brown and husband Craig of Dallas, TX; a son, Donald Bradley Thomas and wife Linda, of Dallas, TX; a son, Derek Denzell Thomas and wife Kathleen of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Justin Mohrle, Ethan, Lily and Brady Thomas. Numerous nephews, nieces and cousins whom she loved.Services will be at: First Baptist Church of Tulsa on Tuesday, August 22 at 11 am. 403 S Cincinnati Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: First Baptist Church of Tulsa 403 S Cincinnati Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103.
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