Wanda Marie Breshears

Funeral services for Wanda Marie (Fallen) Breshears, 84, of Ft. Gibson will be held 10:00 A.M. on April 13 , 2011, at the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Wayne Brown from Norman, Ok and pastor of Johnson Road Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah. Pallbearers will be Dr. Marcos Gomes, Dr. Deven Kothari, Richard Tidmore, Dick Stowe, Charles Breshears, and Gary Don Watts.

Mrs. Breshears was born April 4,1927 in Braggs, OK the daughter of Samuel and Elmira (Lovett) Fallen and she passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law on April 8, 2011. She grew up and attended schools in Braggs graduating from the 8th grade on May 8, 1942 from Liberty #49. The government, due to World War II and the building of Camp Gruber, forced the family from their home and pear orchard. They relocated to south of Tahlequah, just down the road from her future husband, Billy Joe Breshears. He attended Central High School and she attended Bagley High School. Bill was drafted during his senior year of high school on his 18th birthday, Sept. 30, 1944, to serve his country in the South Pacific during World War II. Wanda graduated from Bagley High School with the class of '46.

Following the war, Bill returned to Tahlequah and they were united in marriage on Oct. 22, 1948 at Park Hill Baptist Church in Tahlequah. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Muskogee and made their home there for the next 35 years.

Mrs. Breshears worked in the 1950's for Kloss Sewing Factory before beginning a long career as a meat wrapper, first at Weddle's Supermarket, then later retiring from Humpty Dumpty after 27 years. She was a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

As a mother, Mrs. Breshears was active with the Boy Scout Troop and PTA at Riverside Grade School. She and Bill were members of New Hope Baptist Church in Muskogee for many years. The couple returned to Tahlequah in 1983 and they continued their love of restoring antique cars and antique trippe car lights. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband on Jan. 23, 1995. Mrs. Breshears was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tahlequah and the Dorcas Sunday School class.

Mrs. Breshears was also preceded in death by her father, Samuel A. Fallen in 1950 and her mother, Elmira Fallen in 1964; six siblings: Bural (Alice) Fallen, Earl (Virginia) Fallen, Sam "Son" Fallen, Beulah (Roy) Keen, Martha "Babe" (Walter) Jackson, and an infant sister in 1914.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Hal Russell of Ft. Gibson, one son and daughter-in-law, Billy "Butch" and Lori Breshears of Tahlequah, 7 grandchildren: Twins Dr. Amanda Russell (Fiancé Dr. Marcos Gomes) and Dr. Sarah Russell, Brett Russell, Samantha (Brandon) Tarr, Jessica Breshears, Twins William and Loren Breshears, and many other relatives as well as a host of friends and loved ones.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of the Cherokee for their compassionate loving care and kindness.