Published: June 10, 2008 11:11 am            

Wanda June (Suggs) Henry

Wanda June (Suggs) Henry, 84, of Stillwater, died after a lengthy illness on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Stillwater. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. B. Gordon Edwards officiating. Family will greet friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Strode Funeral Home. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Wanda was born on Aug. 20, 1923, in Pauls Valley, to Alba K. Suggs and Missouri J. (Demory) Suggs, the sixth of seven children. She grew up in Pauls Valley where she was active in the Presbyterian Church and served as a pianist for church youth groups. She was also an active member of the Order of the Rainbow, holding all stations, including pianist and Worthy Advisor. She was a delegate to a state convention where she received honors for perfect attendance and community service at her local chapter. Wanda was a cheerleader and sports queen in high school as well as a member of the student council, serving as president for one term, graduating high school as the salutatorian in 1941.

On Nov. 27, 1941, she married Hiram H. Henry. The couple lived in Pauls Valley until 1942 when Hiram joined the Navy. They then moved to the east coast where they lived in Norfolk, Va., Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C. Wanda held secretarial positions during their time on the east coast. After World War II ended, they lived in Los Angeles while he attended the University of Southern California. Wanda continued her work as a secretary. In 1946, the couple moved to Stillwater where they had their children.

When her children were older, she worked as an administrative secretary to the assistant director of Cooperative Extension at Oklahoma State University for several years. She also attended OSU for special courses and was a sponsor and lifetime member of Tau Beta Sigma, National Sorority for band women. She accompanied the OSU Band on many trips as a chaperone. Wanda was also an honorary member of the University Society of Student Entertainers because of her years of support and help to the students involved.

Wanda was a mother, homemaker and career woman, and she also served as co-president of the P.T.A, was a member of many clubs including the Band Parent Club, Bridge Club, Square Dance Club, Lahoma Club and the St. Cecelia Music Club. She also worked with the youth group in the Presbyterian Church. She was a charter member of the Stillwater Medical Center Auxiliary and served with them for many years. She also took a course at the Indian Meridian Vo-Tech and received her Certified Nurses’ Aide certificate.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Luther Edward Suggs, Ansel Suggs, Kenneth Suggs and Karl Suggs; and two sisters, Clytelle Rosell and Thelma Alexander.

She is survived by her husband, Hiram H. Henry of Stillwater; one daughter, Janice Brucker and her husband, Bill, of Columbia, Ill.; one son, Robert Henry and his wife, Anna, of Lubbock, Texas; grandchildren, Katrina Kirby of Los Angeles, Calif., Chris Brucker of Millbrae, Calif., Jeremy Brucker of Columbia, Ill. and Scott Henry of Dallas, Texas; four great grandchildren, Ashley Kirby of Columbia, Ill., Caroline Molinier of Los Angeles, Jack Molinier Jr. of Los Angeles and Landon Brucker of Columbia, IL; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076 or Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation, 500 N. Broadway Ave. #200, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

        

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