Wanda passed on March 09, 2024, in her sleep in Edmond, Okla., as a resident of the Bradford Village Long Term Sr. Care Center.
Wanda Ozell (Quarles) Spellmann, was 85 ½ years young at the time of her passing, A long-time resident of Durant for the last several years residing in Edmond, Okla. Wanda was raised in Bryan County and went to school in Cobb and Durant. Wanda worked several jobs, notably the Durant Sewing Factory and the Durant Chiropractic Clinic.
Her most important contribution was the love she felt for her family and friends, she believed everyone deserved to be loved and respected. She left an impression on everyone she met, she was a good friend and listener. Whatever trouble came her way she would find a silver lining as an opportunity to learn, every day was a new day and found purpose in helping others. She was a good cook and compassionate friend, finding a blessed purpose in life by listening to others with your heart, and trusting your faith, offering her assistance where she could. Trust God and have faith in taking whatever path is provided, it will get you to where you need to be. Wanda believed in a good cry every now and then was ok, but always started a new day, optimistic in that even with troubles this could be the day something great comes your way. She truly enjoyed living life, she could melt your troubles away with a smile and pick-yourself-up attitude by relating to other people’s troubles having lived through many hard times herself. Wanda simply enjoyed offering her advice when asked and always provided a shoulder to cry on. She rooted for the underdogs and all who felt forgotten.
As a child Wanda went to school in Cobb, lived near the Blue River and traveled to California when she was young, but she mostly resided in the Durant, Okla./Bryan County area. Wanda worked with her family, farming, picking crops, and worked as a waitress, in her younger years she helped with child sitting for family and others, Wanda was an expert seamstress where she quickly became a supervisor working at the Durant Sewing Factory, and she worked at the Durant Chiropractic Clinic for many years. Wanda also worked as an apartment and rental property manager. In her so-called retirement years, she babysat for several families including her own, with her nieces’ Tracey and Kelly’s children, her granddaughter Jamie’s children, and countless other Durant families she provided childcare for. Wanda sewed for extra money, she did ironing and helped the local law enforcement officers with sewing on uniform badges and clothes alterations.
Wanda was born September 11, 1938, to Jess Stanley Quarles and Sara Sofronie (Teague) Quarles in Cobb, Okla., and passed on March 9, 2024, in Edmond, Okla. She was the family’s last surviving child who was preceded in death by both parents and siblings, including sister, Billie Ruth and husband Buster McMillan and brother, Jesse Ray and wife JoAnn Quarles. Wanda’s former husbands proceeded her in death: John Eddins, Leonard Spellmann and significant other Bill Lorance.
Wanda is survived by her four children: daughter, Diane (Eddins) Johns of Carrolton, Texas; son, Mike and spouse Paula Harp, children, Chad and spouse Sara Harp with grandchildren Dillon and Ellison Harp of Calera, Okla., Micha and spouse Matt Gilbert and grandchild Logan of Alexandria, Va.; son, Brad Harp and Janice Mulroney of Sanger, Texas., granddaughter, Jamie Harp and great-grandchildren, Michael and spouse Caitlyn Harp of Jacksboro, Texas, Kassidy Rymel and her great-great-granddaughter Alexandria of Antlers, Okla.; son, Keith and spouse Lawana Eddins, granddaughter Brittany and spouse Dillon Platt and her great-granddaughter Sutton Platt of Edmond, Okla.; her niece, Debbie and spouse Gary Savage of Grapevine, Texas and Wanda’s numerous nieces and nephews.
Wanda’s diabetic illness took a great toll on her, but she was a fighter and did not wish to leave us. Wanda admitted when her time comes, she will be ready but was going to miss being with her friends and family. She was grateful for her life on earth but was looking forward to seeing her heavenly father, family, and friends and those who had passed. Wherever heaven is we know there will be dancing, laughing, and crying tears of joy.
A celebration of Wanda’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel. Don Fentem will officiate. The family will receive friends at 1 pm. prior to the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral Service and Crematory.