Wanda Lorene (Bray) Garrett

HEALDTON – Wanda Lorene (Bray) Garrett, age 93, went to be with her lord and savior on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Mercy Hospital of Healdton. Private graveside services will be held with Bro. Danny Huntsman officiating. Interment will follow at the Katie Cemetery in Garvin County. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton.

Wanda was born on June 17, 1926 in Healdton to the late Mr. Joseph Franklin Bray and Mrs. Mary Etta “Mamie” McCarley Bray. She grew up in Healdton and graduated from Healdton High School with the class of 1944. She and Oscar Marion ”Junior” Garrett, Jr. were united in marriage on February 22, 1947 in Dallas, TX. Together they made their in the Southern Oklahoma area raising their three children Don, Steve and Pamela.

The Joe Bray farm was located about 5 miles SE of Healdton. Wanda’s early childhood was in the midst of the Great Depression. Her father was a good farmer and all though times were tough he managed to see that there was always food on the table but hard cash was not always easy to obtain. When Wanda was 14 she moved into Healdton and worked at least a while at Elmer’s Diner. From that point on, she no longer depended upon her parents but paid her own way. She graduated from Healdton High School and was drum major of the marching band. After high school she worked at the Ardmore Air Base during the war. And after that she moved to Dallas and worked there. A relationship that started when she was in high school with O.M. “Junior” Garrett became serious and they were married in Dallas February 22, 1947, They moved to Tussy after the wedding kids began to join the family starting with Don 1949, Steve 1953 and Pam 1956. Wanda supported her family by encouraging her children to participate in activities and offering help to teachers when needed. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for a number of years. Many nights in the summer she drove a boy to one game while Junior drove another boy to another game in a different direction. Whether is was 4H, baseball, football, basketball, cheerleading or any other activity the kids were involved with, she was always there. During this time she always raised and garden and home grown vegetables was the usual fare. Eating out was very very rare. Later in life she founded the Fox St. Jude’s Bike a thon and organized an event to raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. She received an award from St. Jude for outstanding service. Wanda was a long time member of Eastern Star. She was employed by Robert O. Pratt Agency in Pauls Valley, Wiley’s Grocery , Robert Wooldrige Grocery and Elmore’s Market. Wanda was an example of what clean living can do. She was never in the hospital until she had both knees replaced. The last one at age 89. “I didn’t want to be an old cripple woman.” And she wasn’t.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Oscar Marion “Junior” Garrett Jr.; brothers, Otta, Orvil, Freeman, J.D., and Cameron Bray; sister, Drucella Bray and Jimmi.

She is survived by her children Don Garrett and his wife Brenda of Oklahoma City, Steve Garrett and his wife Rose Mary of Brazoria, TX, and Pamela Nichols and her husband Gary of Ratliff City; grandchildren, Garrett Nichols, Brandon Stewart and wife Paula, Heather Smiley and husband Akim, Dr. Travis Garrett and wife Euna; Monica and Nickolas Zyzak; great grandchildren, Caden, Matalee, Ashlynne, Braden, Isabella, Noah, Arlo, Evan, and Indiana; many other relatives and a host of friends of all ages who, because of her, know what a true friend is.

Online condolences can be made at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.