Wanda M. Blakeley

WANDA MELLROSE BLAKELEY
Wanda Mellrose Blakeley, 91, passed from this present life to her eternal home and reward on April 12, 2024. She was born September 2, 1932, in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Allen and Myrtle Thurman. Wanda was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jimmie Dee Blakeley, her parents Allen and Myrtle Thurman, and sisters, Lola Dickson, Edna Plant, Midge Cullum, Joyce Hunter and brother, Don Thurman. She is survived by her three daughters; Rhonda Strider (husband Allen); Jamie Smith; Dena Tuggle (husband Jack Okie); sister Alma Hill; six granddaughters; Allyson Strider, Caitlyn Thompson, Chelsea Smith, Jacklyn Thornbrue, Cassidy Smith and Kym Melton; seven great grandchildren, Kynleigh, Kenzingtyn and Kingsten Thompson, Bryson Peacock and Hudson Slater, Cade Thornbrue, and Caleb Melton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Wanda grew up in Waurika, Oklahoma and her father moved the family to Oklahoma City when she was in high school. At that time she paused her education and later graduated from Central High school in Oklahoma City in 1960. She would spend the rest of her life in Oklahoma City. She met her husband, Jimmie Dee Blakeley in 1948 at Fellowship Assembly of God Church and they were married on October 19, 1951. One of the most important things in Wanda’s life besides her husband, daughters and extended family was her Christian faith and dedication to service. Her service to God and her local church spanned her entire adult life. Having become a Christian at an early age she served her church in many capacities. She taught herself to play the piano and organ because there was a need in the local church. She had never taken a music lesson and only learned to read music much later. Together Wanda and Jim began in ministry as a young married couple traveling to various churches preaching and singing and working with youth. In later years, Wanda served as the Sunday School secretary, pianist and organist and assisted Jim when he was Secretary/Treasurer on the church deacon board for many years. Jim and Wanda attended the church they were married in in OKC, through various church name changes, for almost 40 years. In 1990, they became members of Crossroads Church, and Wanda was still a member at the time of her passing although her health had prevented her from attending regularly in recent years.
Besides being a wonderful wife and mother, Wanda somehow managed it all and worked outside the home as well. She was employed by Western Electric, Bunte Candy and Tinker Field AFB. She loved her job at Tinker as a civilian parts inspector and was recognized for her spotless work record. She retired from Tinker in 1975. One of her favorite hobbies was writing poetry. She has blessed many family members by sharing her poems that she has written about them or special times in her life. Wanda was known for being something of a prankster and she was always the life of the party. She loved to entertain in their home and she and Jim had many friends over the years that they traveled and enjoyed activities with.
Most importantly Wanda was known for being a devoted prayer warrior, especially by her family. She spent time in prayer each day calling out each family member by name and bringing their needs before God’s throne. She was an inspiration and example to all.
Wanda was a beloved sister, mother, mema, great-grandmother and aunt and will be greatly missed by all. The family takes comfort in the passage from 2 Corinthians which states that to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord and they take comfort in the assurance that they will be reunited with her someday in heaven.

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