Wanda Gene Russell, known to many as Wendy, passed peacefully from this world on September 3, 2022. She was born September 18, 1927 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Andrew Henry McGuire and Lillian Marie (Acree) Lowrey.
Wanda lived the majority of her life in Oklahoma, except for some time spent as a teen in St. Elmo and in Kinmundy, Illinois. Some of her best memories were when she lived there. She would return to Oklahoma in 1943. On April 17, 1953, she would marry Vergil David Russell. They shared 26 years together, raising their family, until his passing in 1980.
Family was the center of Wanda’s life. She prided herself on being a good mother, always available when her children needed her. In Wanda’s book, a perfect day was whenever she could get all the family together, sharing stories that had everyone in stitches. She enjoyed having a vegetable garden and tending her roses. She loved to cook and was great at it. She could sing pretty well and sang until the week of her passing. She enjoyed the music of Gene Autry, Elvis, and Mama Maybelle Carter.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Vergil David Russell; her son Daniel Patrick Russell and daughter-in-law Sherilyn Kay (Barker) Russell; brother Fred McGuire and sister in-law Mary McGuire; brother Mitchell Kralik; brother-in-law Ralph Webb; sister-in-law Sylvia 'Loy' Kralik.
She is survived by her daughters Elaine Susan Lowrance, husband Roger Dale Lowrance, of Edmond and Melody Ann Smith, husband Craig Edward Smith, of Oklahoma City; brothers Henry Kralik, wife Evon, of Shawnee; William 'Pete' Kralik, of Shawnee and Jimmy Kralik, of Sapulpa; sisters Bonnie Webb of Edmond and Gladys Caldwell of Santa Ana, California; grandchildren Katie Lowrance, Kylie Smith, Ember Smith, Kelly Russell, Kyle Russell, Daniel Lazzara, and Steve Holmes Jr.; as well as five great-grandchildren, six nieces, and five nephews.
The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Angel’s Care Home Health, Dr. Stephen Vernier and especially Good Shepherd Hospice, for assisting Melody and Elaine in their excellent care of Wanda through her final days.
Viewing will be September 8, 2022 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home from 4-8 with family present from 5-6. Services in honor of Wanda’s life will be held Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73162. After the service, the family will get together in the meeting room at Johnnnie's at 6629 NW Expressway, to visit and for those who want to purchase lunch.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Hospice Care Foundation through the Good Shepherd Hospice website.
