Wanda E Jarrell

Services will be held on July 10th in Houston, Texas, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, at 10:00 a.m. and burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.

Wanda, who was also lovingly known as Mom, Mother, MaMa, Aunt Wanda, and CeCe, was born June 24, 1925, in Port Arthur, Texas to Andrew Blake and Margaret (Lude) Andries. Her older brother was Julian Blake (Jean) and her younger sister was June Ann Anderson. She attended school in Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She met Malcolm “Mac” Jarrell who was working an ice cream parlor where her brother worked, and after a year of courting, they were married in Lincoln Nebraska, where Mac was stationed with the Army Air Corp. (Air Force), on September 1, 1945. They were married almost 35 years before Malcolm left us early in life to be with our Lord on July 2, 1980.

Wanda and Malcolm had eight children, Pam Floyd (husband Harold ‘Lucky’), Peggy Parker, Patty Pugh (husband Roy), Paula Jarrell, Penny Hiller (husband Rick), Perry Jarrell (wife Eva), Parker(deceased), and Preston (deceased); 14 grandchildren Cary, Chad, Julie, Jill, Brian, Deta, Nathan, Natalie, Scott, Carly, P. Malcolm (Mac) Jr., Travis, Shea, and William; 29 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. In all, 55 were born through this wonderful union, so far.

Wanda had many loves in her life…her Catholic faith that sustained her through her entire life, her children and extended family, racing to the births and the caretaking of each of her grandchildren, traveling with her sister and her friends (especially with her best friend of over 60 years, Myrline Dorsey, who had 8 children of her own), visiting the beach, incessant reading, making Christmas, Easter, and special occasions dresses for her girls, altering majorette uniforms for 8 years or more, embroidering many tablecloths and pillow cases for friends and family, and making sock monkeys for the babies. The thing she loved most was dancing with Malcolm and laughing with her sister, June Ann. She still danced over the years with anyone that could jitterbug. She loved an adventure, a glass of good wine, and at times, she loved a good debate with anyone who would spar with her!

During her final years, she was lovingly cared for by our sister, Paula Jo, who not only gave of her time and her home, but made sure Mom was given the best care at all times. Even though we all were there from time to time, we knew she was well cared for and never needed for anything. She lived on Toledo Bend Lake next door to her dear friend and sister-in-law, Lucille Jarrell (who is 102 !!).

Wanda had an extraordinary life for 98 years and was blessed at her funeral to have all her surviving children and grandchildren present, and many close friends.

We thank you, Mom, for showing us, through your well-lived life of faith, devotion, and joy, that you can have the Love of your life, create a close family from that love, and journey on with the guidance and peace of your Creator.