Wanda graduated from high school in Odessa, Texas. She married Alfred John Purswell on December 22, 1956. Wanda and A.J. moved around many times over the early years of their marriage and his career while making dear friends everywhere they went. During their time in the Rio Grande Valley, they had two daughters, Janet and Judy. Wanda was a stay-at-home mom until Janet was in junior high. She was a wonderful seamstress, making all the girl’s clothes and A.J.’s suits for work. She was extremely thrifty with their money even to the point of making a rug from carpet samples she had obtained from a local carpet company. Wanda enjoyed working in their vegetable garden and canning for future use. She baked and cooked amazing meals for her family and friends. She always sent food to the oil fields where A.J. worked. The men in the fields called it, “Wanda’s Failures.” If she thought she had messed up on a recipe, she sent it to the field. The men never thought any of it as a “failure.” She began working as a secretary at various places including Washington Jr. High then settled at Anderson Elementary where she worked for the principal, Kix Lamp for many years.
After A.J.’s retirement in 1990, they moved to Mena, Arkansas where they bought and restored a beautiful Victorian home built in 1901. This was a project that they both truly enjoyed. They became very involved in Northside Church of Christ in Mena and volunteered for several organizations where they served for 21 years. One of those organizations was a senior living facility called The Oaks. She served on the Board of Directors, and was involved in writing grants, and designing the facility. She used her creative interior design skills to design both the interior and exterior of The Oaks. She made it just as welcoming as she did their own home. She was also very involved with the political events for the Republican Party. She hosted fund raising events, including one for Governor Huckabee in their home. Wanda loved Alabama football. She and A.J. went to Tuscaloosa many times to watch games as well as traveled with Henry and Judy for away games. She shared an adventurous spirit with A.J. as they rode across the country on his Goldwing, camping out and hiking. In 2017, they moved back to Conroe to be closer to family.
Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Bert Wyrick, her mother, Pauline Jones Wyrick, her husband of 65 years, A. J. Purswell and her brothers, Bob and Jim Wyrick.
Wanda is survived by her two daughters and her sons-in-law, Janet and Mark Lamp and Judy and Henry Hajek. Her five grandchildren, Sarah German and her husband James, Travis Lamp, Connor Hajek and his wife Kim, John-Chaney Hajek and Hannah Hajek. Her five great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Adalin and Kaydence German, Payton, Brantley and Nolan Hajek. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be 10:30-11:30am, Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Cashner Funeral Home.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Southern Christian Children’s Home https://schome.org/ or Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort https://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/
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