Wanda Watkins Wagoner

Born in the tiny oil boom town of Lymon, in Osage County, Oklahoma on March 7, 1925, Wanda enjoyed her seven brothers and five sisters as her family persevered on the edge of the infamous dustbowl and through the Great Depression of the 1930s. At 17, Wanda moved to Texas and fell in love at 18 and married William Francis Wagoner on March 15, 1943. Daughter Sue was born on May 5, 1944, and daughter Karen was born in February 9, 1952. Wanda loved being a homemaker but also was industrious and a hard worker, and in 1958 and Wanda and her husband, “Bud”, operated an elder care facility for several years. Wanda enjoyed her position as receptionist at Mid-Cities Hospital in Arlington Texas. The Wagoner family moved to Dallas in 1970 and Wanda worked at Dallas Baylor Hospital as a telephone switch board operator. She loved her job and was offered a managerial position but she gladly declined. She had wonderful friends with whom she worked and stubbornly refused to go into management.

When Wanda’s beloved husband Bud realized his lifelong dream of opening a barbecue restaurant in 1980, she begrudgingly gave up her job at Baylor Hospital and began loving being her own boss and running their restaurant. While she always loved preparing her favorite fried chicken for family and friends, her highest priority was the quality and taste of the cole slaw and potato salad for “The Barbeque Man” restaurant. She was as particular with the coleslaw and potato salad as Bud was with smoking his briskets. Together they embraced learning the business, being successful at work and enjoying their family.

Wanda Wagoner was a gentle soul with a special loving heart. Her sparkling eyes and quick wit always led to many smiles and good times. To be with Wanda was to feel her genuine and caring love with a comforting surrounding calmness. Wanda’s home was always peaceful and filled with laughter and kindness without rancor. Wanda had no time for animosity, prejudice or intolerance. She served the Lord in her quiet way every day of her life and made others feel a spiritual presence. She was a rare individual and the unique mother who cared for her two lovely daughters with constant support and unconditional love. Strong of character and fortitude, Wanda's touchstone was humility and respect for others. Her generosity and understanding for friends in need or despair was always in the forefront. Kindness for all God’s creatures was reflected throughout her life. She never strayed from her strong faith and was respectful of others beliefs. Wanda did not judge others and showed a quiet courage in the face of adversity. The Wagoner home was always a welcome refuge for family and friends with a warm embrace and a big plate of fried chicken. Although small in stature, she was a large presence in so many lives by being a touchstone for wisdom, kindness and a special comfort. Wanda Wagoner lived her life to the fullest in her own unique way that serves as an example for so many others to emulate. Wanda’s gentle soul and loving heart reflected hope and joy for a life well spent. We can all be assured Wanda is in heaven with her Lord and at peace for eternity.

Faith in God was the bedrock of her beliefs and the Wagoner family was very active in their church. If the doors were open, they were there and always on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Sunday dinner at the Wagoner homestead was often fried chicken with their church pastor and his wife in attendance. Never wearing religion on her sleeve, you didn’t have to question where her faith remained. Wanda loved working outside her home as well as being a homemaker, cooking and caring for her family and her dogs, especially Schatzie’ her Doberman Pinscher for 15 years.

Wanda totally loved and cared for her precious family and her dear husband for 52 years of marriage and continued caring for her daughters after her husband’s passing in 1995. With her gentle heart and indomitable spirit, Wanda displayed her humility, sincerity and boundless faith in all she did whether it was nurturing her family, working at her job or being a steadfast friend. She had a quick wit you might miss if you didn’t pay attention. While she lived her life and loved caring for her family as an experience to be savored, Wanda always was a faithful and hard-working wife dedicated and supportive to her beautiful daughters, Susie and Karen. Her special love filled many hearts with joy and smiles that now will embrace the beautiful memories of Wanda’s life. “…the Sweetest flower in all the field” – Shakespeare.

Wanda passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019, and is survived by her devoted and loving daughter, Karen Wagoner, nieces, and friends who mourn her passing. All are blessed to have shared her life of spirit, joy, faith and love for 94 cherished years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Grove Hill on Monday, January 30 at 10 AM. If you wish to honor Wanda, please donate or adopt from an animal rescue group, or donate in Memory of Wanda Watkins Wagoner to:

Baylor University Medical Center - Brain Aneurysm Research

3600 Gaston Avenue, Barnett Tower, Suite 100

Dallas, TX 75246

phone: 214-820-3136

Online donations: https://dallasfoundation.bswhealth.com/ways-to-give/donate