Wanda Marie Buckles

Wanda was born April 18, 1926, to William Caleb Kinzie and Mary Ellen Holderread Kinzie She was born in Cushing, Oklahoma and attended school there through her sophomore year. Her junior and senior years were spent at Ripley High School where she graduated with the class of 1945. Upon graduation she worked at a grocery store in Cushing and a little later a doctor's office. Wanda and Guy met while they were attending high school in Ripley. Guy joined the army upon his graduation and was on active duty in Europe during World War II. After Guy returned from combat in Europe the two were united in marriage on July 22, 1945. The newlyweds made their home in Oklahoma City for a couple of weeks. They quickly realized that big city life was not for them. They moved back to Ripley and resided there until they moved to Cushing in 1958 with their five-year-old daughter Teresa. Wanda and Guy were very blessed when their granddaughter Shandi and a new grandson Carl were married on their 50th wedding anniversary, July 22, 1995. Wanda was ecstatic and loved spending time with her one granddaughter Shandi. She dearly cherished the time she got to spend with her precious great- granddaughter Hadlee Treat. Wanda was a young adult in the World War II era. She grew a garden, harvested it, and canned many foods. She was an outstanding cook. Great-granddaughter Hadlee loved her noodles and banana pudding. She worked in the fields with her husband, planting and hauling wheat and hay. She was a meticulous seamstress and loved to crochet, embroidery, and do needlepoint. She made embroidered quilts and hand quilted them. These acts of unconditional love became priceless gifts to her family and friends. She loved the Lord with all her heart. She was active in the big Creek Church of the Brethren until her lack of mobility caused her to not be able to attend. Yet she always continued to care for the church people, asked about them regularly, and prayed for them. She was an active member of women's fellowship and handmade many baskets, tissue holders, etc. for nursing homes, school students, and church. She also served as church treasurer for many years and enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School. While she was a shut-in, she still attended church services on Sundays via television. In fact, she liked to share with her daughter that she was attending two services. She studied her Bible regularly and was a quiet, yet mighty prayer warrior.