Wanda L. Cook

Wanda spent her life teaching children and adults God's Word. During her career as an elementary music teacher, she taught hundreds of students the importance of a well-rounded life that included all forms of music.

Wanda was born May 22, 1925 just outside of Gainesville, Missouri. Before she was one year old, her parents moved the family to Oklahoma. She was as graduate of New Lima High School. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University until she and her husband, Judson Cook moved to Fort Worth where he received his seminary education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While there, Wanda completed her BS degree in Music Education at Texas Wesleyan University. Later in life, Wanda earned her Master's degree in Education and a reading specialist certificate from Southern Nazarene University.

Wanda's life was all about teaching children the value of music in one's life. She was a published composer of children's and religious music. She began her teaching career in 1948 at Roff, Oklahoma where she taught music, science, and geography. Later teaching positions would include time in Moore Public Schools and Dale Public Schools. She would spend the majority of her career teaching elementary music in the Putnam City School System where she was be named Teacher of the Year in 1973.

Wanda taught voice and piano privately for over 15 years. She taught piano to young boys at the Boy's Ranch Town in Edmond. In 1950, she helped initiate a children’s choir program at Oklahoma City's First Baptist Church where she and her husband were members for over 70 years. She also taught an adult Bible study class on Sunday mornings for nearly 30 years.

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Melanie Coldren and husband Mike; son, Jon Cook and wife Sherri. Grandchildren include: Katie Morris, Amy Coldren, Emily Cook, Michael Cook and Matthew Cook. Great-grandchildren include: Sophie and Mia Morris, Mila Kate Coldren, Olivia Cook, Caroline Cook, Harper Beaty, Hannah Cook, Dylan Beaty, and Annie Cook.