Wanda Lawrence

Wanda Fern (Ray) Lawrence, 92 years, 6 months, and 7 days old, passed away on October 7, 2022, at Glenwood Healthcare Nursing Home in Seymour, Missouri. She had been on Hospice for six weeks.

Wanda was born April 15, 1930, at Anadarko, Oklahoma, to Clarence Elmer and Alta (Buchanan) Ray. As a child she grew up on the farm attending to a large garden and raising hogs and chickens. Her best friend, Jane Coonts, lived on the neighboring farm and they had many adventures together. Wanda attended the Almartha School up through the eighth grade.

On January 11, 1948, Jay Oxley and Wanda Ray were united in marriage at Mountain Home, Arkansas. They had dated on horseback around the Almartha area. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Beverly Ann and Brenda Kay.

Wanda enjoyed a simple but fulfilling life. She was a waitress most of her working life. She also enjoyed growing flowers, planting small vegetable gardens, making quilts, crocheting doilies, and feeding her outdoor birds. She loved to cook and keep a clean house. Wanda loved her family and the Lord. She was a Christian and attended the Seymour Nazarene church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Alta; her brothers’, Ed, Carl, Earl and Mark; her sisters, Reba and Doris; her first grandson, Ryan Hart; and her first great-grandson, Jayce Cooper Holman.

Wanda is survived by her two sisters, Lena and Mary; her two brothers, Glen and Lee; her daughter, Beverly Roth of Bruner, Missouri, and her children, Christina Ransom and Trent of Springfield, Missouri, Jeffrey Perkins of Willard, Missouri, Terra Coon and Tom of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Jama Garrett and Donny of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Sunni Morris of Ozark, Missouri, Kane Roth and Kayla of Mountain Grove, Missouri; her daughter, Brenda Hart of Ozark, Missouri, and her children, Shelby Holman of Springfield Missouri, Blake Hart of Ava, Missouri; her great-grandchildren, Jacina, Whitlee, Matty, Jaida, Roth; Kalina, Kelsey, Taylor, Jordan, Eva, Natellie, Kylie, Keena, Khloey, Kenzie, Keith, Kemper, Bella, Journey, and Easton; great-great-grandson, Nash; nieces, nephews, and friends.

Wanda was blessed to have lived to the age of 92 having good health until a few months ago. Her family will mourn the loss of her smile, grit and sass. She was a true RAY!