Wanda Lou Howard

Wanda Lou Howard was born on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1953 in Pinal, AZ, the daughter of John D. Phillips and Doris F. (Jones) Eslick. She was raised in a family of six brothers and two sisters, Tim, Thomas, Donnie, Ricky Dean, Johnny Wayne, Ronald, Mary and Evelyn. She attended school and then decided she wanted to raise a family. She was the proud mother of Paul Phillips and her daughter, Shelly Rubio. When she worked outside of her home, she was a Nurses Aide and loved caring for her clients. The best job Wanda loved was that of loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. When at home, she could be found reading a good book including her Bible, feeding the birds, painting, and the occasional fishing trip. She could be found going around the yard in the company of her canine companions, Bo and Myrnie. There was nothing she loved quite like the family she held so dear. There was always a pot of beans and a pan of cornbread ready for your arrival. The Sunday fried chicken was her specialty. You were always welcome in her home, and Wanda made sure everyone, be it a family member, friend or animal, never left through the front door hungry. She took the time and the effort to call the family throughout the week and check on each one of them, seeing they were doing ok and weren’t needing her help. A Christian by faith Wanda was a member of the Valley View Church, and shared the love of God by putting others before herself. Her faith was something to be lived daily, and her love of God knew no bounds. Her health began to fail her and the Lord called this good and faithful servant home from her many labors on May 25th, 2022 in Tahlequah, OK, with those she loved by her side. She was 68 old and will be greatly missed.

Wanda is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother and father, four brothers, Donnie Phillips, Rickie Dean Phillips, Ronald Phillips, Johnny Wayne Phillips, and various aunts, uncles and loved ones.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Paul Phillips of Ft. Gibson, OK, and Shelly Rubio of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves two brothers and two sisters, Tim Phillips of Muskogee, OK, Thomas Phillips of Muskogee, OK, Mary Houghland of Ft. Gibson and Evelyn Woods and husband Wayne of Boynton, OK. She lives on in her three adored grandchildren, Cody Reynolds and wife Nicole of Muskogee, OK, Colton Hinkle and wife Sarah of Wagoner, OK, and Courtnie Adams and husband Corey of El Paso, TX. She has a great grandchild, Tinley Adams of el Paso, TX, as well as many nieces, nephews cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Wanda Lou Phillips-Howard will be held on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at Valley View Church with Pastor Frank Cox officiating. Visitation will prior to the service beginning at 10:00am. She will be laid to rest at Citizens Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, OK with her family. Honorary pallbearers for Wanda include Cody Reynolds, Spenser Frye, Brent Busch, Colton Hinkle, Mario Lee and Billy Perry.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Howard family.