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Wanda Lou Bowles was born on March 30, 1929 to William Arthur Bowles and Edna Edith Bowles and went to be with her Lord on July 9, 2017, at the age of 88. She was born on the family farm northeast of Podunk, in Ellis County Oklahoma. She was delivered by Dr. O.C. Newman just a few months before the "Black Tuesday" great stock market crash.
The great depression and World War II were the two-major life changing events which built the great character of most everyone born in that era. Wanda Lou grew up on the farm, attending Beum School, just south of Podunk corner during her early school years. She rode her horse to school, who was at times hitched to a small pony cart made by her grandfather. Later, the Beum School students were annexed to the Shattuck Schools where she graduated with the class of 1946.
One of her favorite classes in high school was Aeronautics. The school had an airplane cockpit used to teach students about aircraft controls and instruments. Wanda Lou dreamed of being a pilot, but lack of money for lessons and later, family obligations, kept her from pursuing that dream.
Growing up, Wanda Lou was very close to her older brother, Odell. They enjoyed many adventures together with their Podunk area cousins and friends who, although older, let her "tag" along. In 1946, while running around with the "Podunk Gang", she met Clarence Davis, a recently returned WW II veteran who had grown up only 7-1/2 miles away. After a whirlwind courtship, they married on November 8, 1946 in a ceremony at her family's home, followed by a lengthy honeymoon, starting a loving relationship that lasted for almost 57 years. To this relationship, four more lives were added with the birth of Ronnie in 1947, Clinton in 1949, Rolanda in 1954 and Cindy in 1956.
Wanda Lou was all about family. We children remember that despite being busy with a multitude of chores, she took time to entertain us with creative ideas and made sure that we were well read, providing "golden books", Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and classics of the time. She was a wonderful cook, hosting large family dinners and taking feasts to the harvest field. Her grandchildren remember the lavishly decorated birthday cakes she made them. She enjoyed flower arranging, and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing everything from formals to teepees for her kids.
Most importantly, our mother instilled in us a solid Christian foundation and a faith in God. She was baptized at an early age in the Tierce Chapel Methodist Church, and later transferred membership to the Arnett Methodist Church, where she was a faithful member the rest of her life. We seldom missed church on Sundays. Wanda Lou taught Sunday School classes, led the Methodist Youth Fellowship, organized church activities, worked tirelessly with the United Methodist Women, and served on nearly every committee in the church. Our mother inspired us and others by living her faith.
Wanda Lou was active in the community. She was a member of Arnett Library Club and the LaCompania Home Demonstration Club, hosting and attending the monthly meetings. For several years she served on the FmHA County Committee. She helped organize the 50+ Shattuck Alumni Association and worked tirelessly helping to put together the annual alumni meetings.
Wanda Lou was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Walter & Elizabeth Davis, husband Clarence, brother Odell and sister-in law Esther Bowles. She is survived by a very special cousin, Janice Hunter of Sugarland, TX; her children, Ronnie & Verna Davis of Arnett, Clinton and Pam Davis of Arnett, Rolanda and Charles Coffee of Higgins, Texas, Cindy Hunter of Arnett. Grand children: Wylie & Angle Davis, McKinney, TX; Whitney & Cole Phillips, Shattuck, OK; Danica Davis, Carrollton, TX; Jordan & Robyn Davis, Ft. Worth, TX; Abbie & Billy Paul Pitt, Amarillo, TX; Logan and Leslie Coffee, Canadian, TX; Ada & Travis Hill, Canadian, TX; Cassie & Scott Cramer, Piedmont, OK; Jeannie & Eric Strick, Arnett, OK. Others mourning her loss are eighteen great-grandchildren, many other very dear relatives, and a host of friends including special friend and high school classmate, Alvin Herber of Shattuck, OK.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church in care of Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.
Memorial Service
Thursday, July 13, 2017
11:00 AM
United Methodist Church
Arnett, OK 73832
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