Selma Jean Wakeham

Wakeham, Selma Jean 83, passed away after a brief illness Thursday, July 11, 2019, at her home in Villa Park, CA. Memorial services will be at Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, CA on July 22 at 1pm.

Selma was born March 11, 1936 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Mildred Coufal Barta and Vernon Barta. Selma was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Derrick Wakeham, and cousin and lifelong friend, Ardis Barnhart.

Selma's grandfather, Frank Barta, ran the Barta Home for Funerals in Cedar Rapids in the 1920’s. After her father’s tragic shooting death in 1938, Selma’s mother Mildred raised Selma in Cedar Rapids as a single mother until setting out to California in 1953 in search of improved economic circumstances.

Selma graduambted from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1953 and shortly after moved to Whittier California where she attended Glendale Junior College and then Whittier College where she was a member of the Thalian Society. After securing her bachelor’s degree in 1957 and then her teaching credential, Selma began teaching 2nd grade elementary school in Fullerton, CA. Shortly thereafter, Selma was introduced to a singles group at the First Presbytarian Church in Santa Ana. This group, known as the Seafarers is where she met her husband Derrick Wakeham and forged lifelong friendships with many members of this group. She was united in marriage to Derrick Henry on June 23, 1962 in Fullerton, CA. To this union, they were blessed with two children - a son, Dirk D. Wakeham, a daughter, Dana Lynn (Wakeham) McCaulley; and grandchildren, Madison (Maddie) Wakeham, Connor Wakeham, Amanda McCaulley, Jonathan McCaulley, and Ryan McCaulley.

Selma loved history and could almost always be found with a book about American history, the Civil War, or recently Presidential biographics. She also loved to plan lavish theme parties for family and friends planning, researching, and executing every detail. Selma also loved to volunteer, having served as group leader for the Camp Fire Girls and later serving on the board of directors of Orange County Camp Fire. She also worked as a bookkeeper for the family real estate business and later learned to keep the books on computer. Later in life, Selma and her husband enjoyed traveling to the Southern US, New England and beyond, always places rich in history. Selma taught her children proper manners and was always cheerful and up-beat to those around her and will be missed by her family and friends.