Wanda Sue Brown

Wanda Sue (Mathies) Brown passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday March 19, 2025, just seven days after her 88th birthday. Wanda was the second oldest of 7 children born to Fred and Audie Mathies. She was a very sweet and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

Wanda was born in Poteau, Oklahoma and moved to Modesto, California during her Senior year in high school. In high school she made very good grades, she was well liked, played basketball for a short time and was voted Home Coming Queen in her Junior year. After high school she worked briefly as a telephone operator until she met and married her late husband, Mathew Brown. Together they raised three children and had a long and happy life together.

Wanda was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in her Christian faith, her family, her home and her appearance. She never missed a Sunday morning, Sunday night or Wednesday evening church service until her health failed and then she continued to “attend” services regularly by TV. She read her bible daily and her devotions were a big part of her life. She was an attentive and loving wife to her husband Matt until he passed 2 years ago. She was a kind and loving mother, the kind of mother who was always there for you. You could count on her to lend an ear, lend a hand, or loan a dollar. In addition to her love for her family, she enjoyed decorating her home and was happy to spend her time sewing, shopping and working to create a home she was proud to invite anyone to. Guests often asked who her decorator was! She was a wonderful hostess-even if she didn’t think so-she welcomed everyone and made sure her guests felt at home. She made sure they had whatever they needed, a nightgown, another blanket, a bowl of ice cream or a piece of pie. She didn't love to cook, but she always made wonderful meals and made sure everyone had plenty to eat. She was always willing to play a game or do a puzzle-not so much because she loved games or puzzles, but so she could spend time with you doing what you wanted to do. She was as meticulous about her personal appearance as she was about her home and she always took time to choose nice clothes, do her hair and make-up and wear jewelry that tastefully finished her look. She received compliments wherever she went and was often told how pretty she looked, or how beautiful she was. She accepted this praise with humble appreciation. She was truly a beautiful woman inside and out and she will be dearly missed.

Wanda is survived by her daughters Susan (Scott) Pribyl and Lisa (Rick) Hampton, her daughter-in-law Mary Brown, her brother Bill Mathies and her sisters Glenda Gentry, Peggy Geren and Kay Akers and grandchildren and great grandchildren too numerous to name.

She is preceded in death by her parents Fred Mathies and Audie (Calton) Mathies, her beloved husband Mathew Brown, her son Randy Brown, her sister Doris Jenkins and her brother Ed Mathies.

Special thanks to Heart of Hospice and the staff and caregivers at Brookenhill Health and Rehabilitation of Fort Smith.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 5 – 7 PM At Edwards Funeral Home.

Services will be held 12 Noon Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Flowers can be sent to: Edwards Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com