(Husband Dan)   Wedding Day

By Spring 2013, after dating for nearly two years, I knew I wanted to marry Wendi.  I deliberated for weeks how to ask her to marry me.  I worried about how long we’d want to be engaged, the size of wedding, …on and on.  Paralysis by analysis.  

The morning of April 1, 2013, I couldn’t stop thinking about Wendi.  After a couple hours, I told my boss I was taking the rest of the day off – that I was going to go get married.  I remember calling Lauren who was homeschooling and asking her to get her mom dressed up nice – that I wanted to take her to the courthouse and marry her.  I called the schools to coordinate picking the other kids up early.  I called a florist and expedited a Spring bouquet.  I was so excited, I got a speeding ticket on the way home.  

When I arrived at Wendi’s house a little after noon, she was in the kitchen with Lauren.  She turned around and asked what I was doing there.  I smiled, got down on my knee and asked her to marry me.  After the immediate shock wore off, she said “Yes”.  I smiled again and said, “Great, finish getting ready and I’ll meet you at the courthouse after I go pick up the kids.”  

Wendi and I showed up at the Oxford, MS courthouse with our six children.  Filling out the paperwork felt like an eternity.  Finally, the judge was free.  They cleared a courtroom just for us.  The judge performed the ceremony in front of our kids, we said our vows, and kissed.  She was my wife.  I couldn’t believe it.

(Husband Dan) - Having a Baby?

Wendi loved Oliver.  She’d always say that he was her WORLD.  She was not exaggerating.  From the time she found out she was pregnant to her last breath, he was the focus of her affection.

It’s amazing that Oliver was conceived.  Wendi was on numerous medicines for her health, including birth control and taking the “morning after pill” as part of her routine regiment.  I remember when she broke the news to me.  I came home from Walmart and Wendi and all the kids were lined up on the couch smiling.  I told them, “This better not be an intervention.”  She asked how I’d feel about having another baby.  Surprise!

Several doctors advised Wendi to consider abortion due to the extreme health risks.  Most thought she couldn’t carry the baby full term, and she’d be severely risking her own life in the process.  I told her I’d support her in whatever decision she made, but I was very worried about her health. Wendi prayed for weeks…intensely, fervently.  Wendi finally told me she would be delivering the baby.  She said God spoke to her, comforted her, and told her, “He’s got this.”

Wendi was high-risk, on IV nutrition the entire pregnancy.  She was under constant care supervised by Dr. Thomas Abell and his colleagues.  Not only was Wendi able to carry the baby full term, she delivered him naturally.  Oliver Thomas Somers was named after the doctor who transformed our lives.  Wendi’s faith and trust in God resulted in God blessing her with a son.

Wendi we haven't known each other very long, but undeniably I knew you were a friend. Your love for family and animals shined bright when we talked. I know God placed you, Dan, and Oliver in our lives even for a short time.  Rest in peace 🙏 Love, the Jarrett's

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 refers to God as the God of “all comfort.” He comforts us so we can comfort others. 

I know Wendi had a big heart. Although I have lived a distance away from Dan and Wendi, I couldn’t help but see her care and tender-heartedness whenever we were around her. 

She touched the lives of so many. For Dan, Oliver, and all of the kids, relatives, and friends, I know there will be an unfillable void. 

I don’t know all the ways God comforts, but I trust He does—and that He will. Love to all. I’ve been praying often for you.

(Husband Dan) Wedding Day

By Spring 2013, after dating for nearly two years, I knew I wanted to marry Wendi.  I deliberated for weeks how to ask her to marry me.  I worried about how long we’d want to be engaged, the size of wedding, …on and on.  Paralysis by analysis.  

The morning of April 1, 2013, I couldn’t stop thinking about Wendi.  After a couple hours, I told my boss I was taking the rest of the day off – that I was going to go get married.  I remember calling Lauren who was homeschooling and asking her to get her mom dressed up nice – that I wanted to take her to the courthouse and marry her.  I called the schools to coordinate picking the other kids up early.  I called a florist and expedited a Spring bouquet.  I was so excited, I got a speeding ticket on the way home.  

When I arrived at Wendi’s house a little after noon, she was in the kitchen with Lauren.  She turned around and asked what I was doing there.  I smiled, got down on my knee and asked her to marry me.  After the immediate shock wore off, she said “Yes”.  I smiled again and said, “Great, finish getting ready and I’ll meet you at the courthouse after I go pick up the kids.”  

Wendi and I showed up at the Oxford, MS courthouse with our six children.  Filling out the paperwork felt like an eternity.  Finally, the judge was free.  They cleared a courtroom just for us.  The judge performed the ceremony in front of our kids, we said our vows, and kissed.  She was my wife.  I couldn’t believe it.

(Husband Dan) Haley's 7th Birthday Party
The day of Haley’s 7th birthday party had arrived.  I took my four kids to the park where several families were gathered under the pavilion.  Wendi was running late so the kids just played.  Once she arrived, Wendi, a neighbor, and I quickly set up the tables, food, and games.  If you know anything about Wendi, she went all-out on anything she put her mind to.  The party was glorious chaos – the way parties should be.  

After it was over and clean-up was done, our six kids wanted to play tennis on the tennis courts.  None of us were tennis players, but it was grand fun just talking and teasing one another.  

After tennis, we took the kids for a walk around the park trail.  I remember Wendi asking me along the path if she could trust me.  She warned me saying that if she trusted me and opened herself up, then that was it.  She was always reluctant to open herself up to people for fear of being hurt.  [I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of her confession at the time, but looking back now, it seems clear as day.]  One lap around the park simply wasn’t enough time to talk, so we took a second.  

Her health, and the heat wouldn’t allow a third walk around the part, so I asked if I could take her and the kids out for an ice cream.  We went to Chick-fil-A, spent more time talking and celebrating.  Something inside told me this beautiful young woman was special.

(Husband Dan)
I remember when Wendi and I first met.  It was through our kids.
In 2010, I’d moved from Indiana to Oxford, Mississippi for a job.  My four youngest children – Ethan (15), Elijah (10), Mason (8), and Corinna (6) moved with me.  I rented a house and lived about 3 blocks from Wendi.  Over the course of the school year, neighborhood kids would often come over to play or hang out with the kids, eventually including a little blonde girl named Haley.  

One afternoon in Spring of 2011, a petite young woman stopped by the house.  She was dressed in coveralls.  Her hair was tied back in a ponytail.  She was very pretty but looked a “hot mess” (in Mississippi terms) – not necessarily how you’d plan to meet your future husband. She’d been gardening for several hours, was sweaty and wearing a good bit of her work.  She introduced herself, saying she was Haley’s mom.  She said her name was “Wendi, with an I”.  Dummy-me replied, “That’s strange, W-I-N-D-Y?”.  She laughed and corrected me.  She said she stopped by to see who Haley was hanging out with so much.  After we spoke for a minute, she asked if I would watch Haley for a moment while she ran to Walmart for some things.  

When she returned a while later, we talked for a good bit out on the front lawn where it was much quieter.  Something about her seemed special, but I couldn’t place it at the time.  Toward the end of the conversation, she invited the kids to Haley’s upcoming birthday party at the park (Haley was turning 7).  When Wendi left, I think I was looking forward to the party more than the kids.

Me and Wendi at Alaina’s wedding. I will never forget my time being your big sister. 45 years is not enough. I  will always miss your funny disposition and comebacks .  I’ll miss your beautiful face . And big hugs.  I’ll miss you ,

OBITUARY

Wendi Brooke Somers

April 30, 1981 – June 24, 2026

Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home & Cremation Services

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