Wanda Lou Clemens Newkirk was born on July 20, 1929 on a farm in Wheeler County, Texas, to B.T. Clemens and Lou Ella Thornton. Wanda married Rex P. Newkirk of Wheeler, Texas, on December 18, 1945. They were married sixty-six and one half years. He preceded her in death. Five children were born to them; Diane (Willie, deceased) Moore of Thornton, Colorado; Donna (Jack) Lane of Lakewood, Colorado; Jana (Mike, deceased) Bauman of Grand Junction; Jim (Charlotte) Newkirk of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Rex A. Newkirk (deceased). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; her younger brothers, Bryan (Norma) Clemens of Altoona, Florida and David (Debra) Clemens of San Angelo, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
