Wanda Jean Whitener

Wanda Jean (Cantwell) Whitener

Wilson - Funeral Services for Mrs. Wanda Jean (Cantwell) Whitener, 74, of Wilson will be 2:00 PM, Monday, March 9, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Wilson with Rev. Monte Dean officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Alexander Funeral Home in Wilson.

Mrs. Wanda Jean (Cantwell) Whitener was born January 16, 1935 south of Wilson to her beloved late parents, Mr. Eugene Clayton and Mrs.Callie Beatrice (Todd) Cantwell. She was welcomed into the gates of Heaven On Thursday, March 5, 2009, after an extended illness, while at home surrounded by family.

On March 31, 1951, Wanda married the love of her life, Alfred “Curley” Whitener in Wilson, OK and together they shared almost fifty years of wonderful marriage before his passing on February 5, 2001. Together they raised two children, Pam and Gary. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

Wanda was a member of the Rexroat Baptist Church, which she attended for many years. She attended Blackjack school and later Wilson school. She was raised south of Wilson on a peanut farm. She spent many years working with her family in the peanut fields and grading peanuts. Over the years she also worked at the Alexander’s Nursing Home and later at the Wilson Nursing Center and also as a personal caregiver. She enjoyed taking care of people and making them happy. She loved growing flowers, gardening and doing things outside in her yard. Wanda especially loved doing things with her great-grandchildren including playing Skip-Bo with them. She also enjoyed playing the game Moon with her sisters. Wanda had a strong passion for life and loved everyone unconditionally and would leave lasting impressions with everyone she met. She was proud of and devoted to her family and they were the light of her life, as she was theirs.

In addition to her husband, also preceding her in death is her Parents, Sisters, Melba McMillen and Vina Eubanks and a Brother Val Gen Cantwell.

Those left to honor and cherissh her wonderful memories are her children, Pam Forsythe; Gary Whitener and wife Carla, all of Wilson. 5 Grandchildren, Daniel Whitener and wife Norma, Jason Forsythe, Jeremiah Forsythe and wife Brandi, Jennifer Whitener, all of Wilson, and Karisa Sigler and husband Don of Midwest City. 5 precious great grandchildren, Danielle Whitener, Selina Whitener; Jaren Forsythe, Iliana Whitener, Jaxon Forsythe, all of Wilson. 3 Sisters, Virginia Hacker of Wilson, Flora Anthony and husband Tom of Ardmore, and Dora Jackson of Marietta. Numerous nieces and nephews and other family.

Pallbearers will be nephews, Larry McMillen, Leslie Hacker, Randy Hacker, Terry Hacker, Ricky Eubanks, Val Cantwell, Jr., Greg Cantwell and Sott Anthony.

Honorary bearers will be Mike Fondren, Kyle Hacker, Lisa Phelps and the Nurses and Staff of Cross Timbers Hospice.

Donations may be made to the Rexroat Church Building Fund; 10642 Dillard Rd, Wilson, Ok 73463.

Family visitation will be Sunday evening from 5 to 7pm at the funeral home in Wilson.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org