Wanda Faye Black Hanan, born at home in Arnett, Oklahoma on February 9, 1930, left this world on September 18, 2023, surrounded by her children. She was the daughter of Orral Arvatis Black and Myrtle Mary Berry. Her life was a testament to her remarkable spirit.
Wanda was an amazing person who documented much of her life in what she called her "missives". In one of these she wrote of her childhood, "I ran free like a deer. I would spend hours making playhouses, playing in the trees, playing under bridges. You can see I had a wonderful childhood." The Ellis County Fairgrounds were right by her house and became her playground. In her own words, "I have climbed to the top of every building that is there or ever was there. I have been under every building. I have run races on the tracks. It was a wonderful place to play." She also claimed, and it was never doubted by anyone in her family, that she climbed to the top of the Arnett water tower in her youth.
She met the love of her life, Verl Hanan, during their high school years, and she wrote, "With a lot of coaxing and convincing, I convinced Verl to ask me to marry him, which was a very wise decision on my part." She continued with, "Verl has been very good to me. You will not likely find anyone as good, but try."
Wanda and Verl moved out to their farm northwest of Arnett in 1952 shortly after their first child was born, and Wanda got to work on fixing up the house. When they got there, she said "The roof was in such poor condition that you literally could see out through the ceiling. The floors were so thin that the linoleum would blow up when you opened the door, especially when the wind was blowing, but I had the enthusiasm of a home decorator, a gardener, a landscape artist, and a farmer's wife". If you know Wanda at all, you know that pretty soon that house was transformed into a well-maintained, clean, wallpapered beauty. She and Verl were a great team on that farm. Verl would get up before the sun came up every day to go milk cows at the dairy with his father C.T. who lived just down the hill within a quarter-mile of the farm, and Wanda would have breakfast ready for him when he returned just after sunrise. Over the years they also grew wheat and raised cattle in various locations around Arnett. Wanda was the force that kept the machine running, keeping Verl fed and happy, maintaining the house and garden, raising the children, and entertaining family and friends when they stopped by to "visit". They lived on that farm for over 50 years until they moved to the "town house" in 2004.
Together, Wanda and Verl raised four children: Roy Don, Mary, Jennifer, and Tom. She raised them with the attributes that she felt were most important: From her notes: "Never blame your mother for your mistakes. Enjoy each day if at all possible. Remember nothing is ever the same as it is at this moment so enjoy it or endure it whichever is applicable. Take a little time each day for yourself. God is out there watching so be careful - He is the one who will get you into heaven. If you do something I wouldn't want to know just make sure I don't find out. Spend your money wisely, but spend it. You have to make your friends because they don't come automatically."
Wanda was an amazing cook and baker. Somehow she could transform a pile of self-rising flour on a newspaper into fluffy biscuits in minutes with just a few drops of oil and some magic she did with her hands. Many have tried, but nobody has ever been able to replicate them in quite the same way. When served with a mess of fried quail and gravy and with a new jar of chow chow, she created a feast. She could also work the same magic into fresh noodles and pie crusts, telling anyone who would ask that it was "easy", but when they attempted it themselves, they quickly found that it was not.
She was a lifetime learner. In addition to helping Verl on the farm and raising four children, Wanda was always curious and one of the sharpest, most intelligent people you would ever meet. She was an avid reader of all kinds of books. She conquered computers and iPads and disproved the notion that older people can't keep up with technology. She sold things on eBay when most people were just trying to figure out how to get onto the internet. She was a poet, writer, and documentarian, and we will treasure her writing. It will add to the joy of remembering her and the other family members she wrote about for many years to come.
Wanda was not only a loving mother and devoted spouse but also a friend to everybody. Her door was always open, and anyone, whether friend or family, could visit unannounced, and she would make it a party, even if all she had was one doughnut and a fresh pot of coffee. She helped countless people in ways that we will never fully know, but those who she touched will undoubtedly remember her kindness and generosity.
Wanda held her faith close to her heart, attending church throughout her life, beginning at the Christian Church, and then later at the Church of Christ after marrying Verl. Her relationship with her faith was not just a Sunday obligation; it was a guiding light that illuminated her thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. She believed in the power of compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Just as she found strength in her faith, she drew strength from her Democratic party ideals, believing that they too were rooted in the principles of empathy, justice, and community welfare. Her dedication to her political convictions was evident when she served as a delegate at the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York City, a testament to her commitment.
In addition to her children, Wanda's legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roy Don and his wife Lisa have a daughter Heather, and two sons, Jacob and Caleb. Jennifer Ronan's daughter, Ashley, is married to Johan Löfgren, and they have a son Noah and a daughter Veda. Jennifer also has a son, Alex, who has a daughter named River. Tom Hanan and his wife Angie, have a daughter Audrey.
Wanda was pre-deceased by her husband Verl Hanan, her Papa O.A. Black, her mother Myrtle Mary Berry Black, her sisters Darlene Miller, Gloria Fern Favors, Orralee Shean, and Donna Rowley, and her brother Pete Black. She is survived and well-loved by all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,, and by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends in Arnett, Ellis County, and beyond. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Wanda left us with this beautiful sentiment: "When you find yourself running through the wind, watching a butterfly, playing in the sand, looking at the sunset with awe, planning another trip, doing nothing, or talking to an old lady, think of me - Wanda Faye Black Hanan."
Wanda was an amazing person who documented much of her life in what she called her "missives". In one of these she wrote of her childhood, "I ran free like a deer. I would spend hours making playhouses, playing in the trees, playing under bridges. You can see I had a wonderful childhood." The Ellis County Fairgrounds were right by her house and became her playground. In her own words, "I have climbed to the top of every building that is there or ever was there. I have been under every building. I have run races on the tracks. It was a wonderful place to play." She also claimed, and it was never doubted by anyone in her family, that she climbed to the top of the Arnett water tower in her youth.
She met the love of her life, Verl Hanan, during their high school years, and she wrote, "With a lot of coaxing and convincing, I convinced Verl to ask me to marry him, which was a very wise decision on my part." She continued with, "Verl has been very good to me. You will not likely find anyone as good, but try."
Wanda and Verl moved out to their farm northwest of Arnett in 1952 shortly after their first child was born, and Wanda got to work on fixing up the house. When they got there, she said "The roof was in such poor condition that you literally could see out through the ceiling. The floors were so thin that the linoleum would blow up when you opened the door, especially when the wind was blowing, but I had the enthusiasm of a home decorator, a gardener, a landscape artist, and a farmer's wife". If you know Wanda at all, you know that pretty soon that house was transformed into a well-maintained, clean, wallpapered beauty. She and Verl were a great team on that farm. Verl would get up before the sun came up every day to go milk cows at the dairy with his father C.T. who lived just down the hill within a quarter-mile of the farm, and Wanda would have breakfast ready for him when he returned just after sunrise. Over the years they also grew wheat and raised cattle in various locations around Arnett. Wanda was the force that kept the machine running, keeping Verl fed and happy, maintaining the house and garden, raising the children, and entertaining family and friends when they stopped by to "visit". They lived on that farm for over 50 years until they moved to the "town house" in 2004.
Together, Wanda and Verl raised four children: Roy Don, Mary, Jennifer, and Tom. She raised them with the attributes that she felt were most important: From her notes: "Never blame your mother for your mistakes. Enjoy each day if at all possible. Remember nothing is ever the same as it is at this moment so enjoy it or endure it whichever is applicable. Take a little time each day for yourself. God is out there watching so be careful - He is the one who will get you into heaven. If you do something I wouldn't want to know just make sure I don't find out. Spend your money wisely, but spend it. You have to make your friends because they don't come automatically."
Wanda was an amazing cook and baker. Somehow she could transform a pile of self-rising flour on a newspaper into fluffy biscuits in minutes with just a few drops of oil and some magic she did with her hands. Many have tried, but nobody has ever been able to replicate them in quite the same way. When served with a mess of fried quail and gravy and with a new jar of chow chow, she created a feast. She could also work the same magic into fresh noodles and pie crusts, telling anyone who would ask that it was "easy", but when they attempted it themselves, they quickly found that it was not.
She was a lifetime learner. In addition to helping Verl on the farm and raising four children, Wanda was always curious and one of the sharpest, most intelligent people you would ever meet. She was an avid reader of all kinds of books. She conquered computers and iPads and disproved the notion that older people can't keep up with technology. She sold things on eBay when most people were just trying to figure out how to get onto the internet. She was a poet, writer, and documentarian, and we will treasure her writing. It will add to the joy of remembering her and the other family members she wrote about for many years to come.
Wanda was not only a loving mother and devoted spouse but also a friend to everybody. Her door was always open, and anyone, whether friend or family, could visit unannounced, and she would make it a party, even if all she had was one doughnut and a fresh pot of coffee. She helped countless people in ways that we will never fully know, but those who she touched will undoubtedly remember her kindness and generosity.
Wanda held her faith close to her heart, attending church throughout her life, beginning at the Christian Church, and then later at the Church of Christ after marrying Verl. Her relationship with her faith was not just a Sunday obligation; it was a guiding light that illuminated her thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. She believed in the power of compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Just as she found strength in her faith, she drew strength from her Democratic party ideals, believing that they too were rooted in the principles of empathy, justice, and community welfare. Her dedication to her political convictions was evident when she served as a delegate at the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York City, a testament to her commitment.
In addition to her children, Wanda's legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roy Don and his wife Lisa have a daughter Heather, and two sons, Jacob and Caleb. Jennifer Ronan's daughter, Ashley, is married to Johan Löfgren, and they have a son Noah and a daughter Veda. Jennifer also has a son, Alex, who has a daughter named River. Tom Hanan and his wife Angie, have a daughter Audrey.
Wanda was pre-deceased by her husband Verl Hanan, her Papa O.A. Black, her mother Myrtle Mary Berry Black, her sisters Darlene Miller, Gloria Fern Favors, Orralee Shean, and Donna Rowley, and her brother Pete Black. She is survived and well-loved by all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,, and by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends in Arnett, Ellis County, and beyond. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Wanda left us with this beautiful sentiment: "When you find yourself running through the wind, watching a butterfly, playing in the sand, looking at the sunset with awe, planning another trip, doing nothing, or talking to an old lady, think of me - Wanda Faye Black Hanan."
Wanda Faye Black Hanan, born at home in Arnett, Oklahoma on February 9, 1930, left this world on September 18, 2023, surrounded by her children. She was the daughter of Orral Arvatis Black and Myrtle Mary Berry. Her life was a testament to her remarkable spirit.
Wanda was an amazing person who documented much of her life in what she called her "missives". In one of these she wrote of her childhood, "I ran free like a deer. I would spend hours making playhouses, playing in the trees, playing under bridges. You can see I had a wonderful childhood." The Ellis County Fairgrounds were right by her house and became her playground. In her own words, "I have climbed to the top of every building that is there or ever was there. I have been under every building. I have run races on the tracks. It was a wonderful place to play." She also claimed, and it was never doubted by anyone in her family, that she climbed to the top of the Arnett water tower in her youth.
She met the love of her life, Verl Hanan, during their high school years, and she wrote, "With a lot of coaxing and convincing, I convinced Verl to ask me to marry him, which was a very wise decision on my part." She continued with, "Verl has been very good to me. You will not likely find anyone as good, but try."
Wanda and Verl moved out to their farm northwest of Arnett in 1952 shortly after their first child was born, and Wanda got to work on fixing up the house. When they got there, she said "The roof was in such poor condition that you literally could see out through the ceiling. The floors were so thin that the linoleum would blow up when you opened the door, especially when the wind was blowing, but I had the enthusiasm of a home decorator, a gardener, a landscape artist, and a farmer's wife". If you know Wanda at all, you know that pretty soon that house was transformed into a well-maintained, clean, wallpapered beauty. She and Verl were a great team on that farm. Verl would get up before the sun came up every day to go milk cows at the dairy with his father C.T. who lived just down the hill within a quarter-mile of the farm, and Wanda would have breakfast ready for him when he returned just after sunrise. Over the years they also grew wheat and raised cattle in various locations around Arnett. Wanda was the force that kept the machine running, keeping Verl fed and happy, maintaining the house and garden, raising the children, and entertaining family and friends when they stopped by to "visit". They lived on that farm for over 50 years until they moved to the "town house" in 2004.
Together, Wanda and Verl raised four children: Roy Don, Mary, Jennifer, and Tom. She raised them with the attributes that she felt were most important: From her notes: "Never blame your mother for your mistakes. Enjoy each day if at all possible. Remember nothing is ever the same as it is at this moment so enjoy it or endure it whichever is applicable. Take a little time each day for yourself. God is out there watching so be careful - He is the one who will get you into heaven. If you do something I wouldn't want to know just make sure I don't find out. Spend your money wisely, but spend it. You have to make your friends because they don't come automatically."
Wanda was an amazing cook and baker. Somehow she could transform a pile of self-rising flour on a newspaper into fluffy biscuits in minutes with just a few drops of oil and some magic she did with her hands. Many have tried, but nobody has ever been able to replicate them in quite the same way. When served with a mess of fried quail and gravy and with a new jar of chow chow, she created a feast. She could also work the same magic into fresh noodles and pie crusts, telling anyone who would ask that it was "easy", but when they attempted it themselves, they quickly found that it was not.
She was a lifetime learner. In addition to helping Verl on the farm and raising four children, Wanda was always curious and one of the sharpest, most intelligent people you would ever meet. She was an avid reader of all kinds of books. She conquered computers and iPads and disproved the notion that older people can't keep up with technology. She sold things on eBay when most people were just trying to figure out how to get onto the internet. She was a poet, writer, and documentarian, and we will treasure her writing. It will add to the joy of remembering her and the other family members she wrote about for many years to come.
Wanda was not only a loving mother and devoted spouse but also a friend to everybody. Her door was always open, and anyone, whether friend or family, could visit unannounced, and she would make it a party, even if all she had was one doughnut and a fresh pot of coffee. She helped countless people in ways that we will never fully know, but those who she touched will undoubtedly remember her kindness and generosity.
Wanda held her faith close to her heart, attending church throughout her life, beginning at the Christian Church, and then later at the Church of Christ after marrying Verl. Her relationship with her faith was not just a Sunday obligation; it was a guiding light that illuminated her thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. She believed in the power of compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Just as she found strength in her faith, she drew strength from her Democratic party ideals, believing that they too were rooted in the principles of empathy, justice, and community welfare. Her dedication to her political convictions was evident when she served as a delegate at the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York City, a testament to her commitment.
In addition to her children, Wanda's legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roy Don and his wife Lisa have a daughter Heather, and two sons, Jacob and Caleb. Jennifer Ronan's daughter, Ashley, is married to Johan Löfgren, and they have a son Noah and a daughter Veda. Jennifer also has a son, Alex, who has a daughter named River. Tom Hanan and his wife Angie, have a daughter Audrey.
Wanda was pre-deceased by her husband Verl Hanan, her Papa O.A. Black, her mother Myrtle Mary Berry Black, her sisters Darlene Miller, Gloria Fern Favors, Orralee Shean, and Donna Rowley, and her brother Pete Black. She is survived and well-loved by all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,, and by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends in Arnett, Ellis County, and beyond. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Wanda left us with this beautiful sentiment: "When you find yourself running through the wind, watching a butterfly, playing in the sand, looking at the sunset with awe, planning another trip, doing nothing, or talking to an old lady, think of me - Wanda Faye Black Hanan."
Wanda was an amazing person who documented much of her life in what she called her "missives". In one of these she wrote of her childhood, "I ran free like a deer. I would spend hours making playhouses, playing in the trees, playing under bridges. You can see I had a wonderful childhood." The Ellis County Fairgrounds were right by her house and became her playground. In her own words, "I have climbed to the top of every building that is there or ever was there. I have been under every building. I have run races on the tracks. It was a wonderful place to play." She also claimed, and it was never doubted by anyone in her family, that she climbed to the top of the Arnett water tower in her youth.
She met the love of her life, Verl Hanan, during their high school years, and she wrote, "With a lot of coaxing and convincing, I convinced Verl to ask me to marry him, which was a very wise decision on my part." She continued with, "Verl has been very good to me. You will not likely find anyone as good, but try."
Wanda and Verl moved out to their farm northwest of Arnett in 1952 shortly after their first child was born, and Wanda got to work on fixing up the house. When they got there, she said "The roof was in such poor condition that you literally could see out through the ceiling. The floors were so thin that the linoleum would blow up when you opened the door, especially when the wind was blowing, but I had the enthusiasm of a home decorator, a gardener, a landscape artist, and a farmer's wife". If you know Wanda at all, you know that pretty soon that house was transformed into a well-maintained, clean, wallpapered beauty. She and Verl were a great team on that farm. Verl would get up before the sun came up every day to go milk cows at the dairy with his father C.T. who lived just down the hill within a quarter-mile of the farm, and Wanda would have breakfast ready for him when he returned just after sunrise. Over the years they also grew wheat and raised cattle in various locations around Arnett. Wanda was the force that kept the machine running, keeping Verl fed and happy, maintaining the house and garden, raising the children, and entertaining family and friends when they stopped by to "visit". They lived on that farm for over 50 years until they moved to the "town house" in 2004.
Together, Wanda and Verl raised four children: Roy Don, Mary, Jennifer, and Tom. She raised them with the attributes that she felt were most important: From her notes: "Never blame your mother for your mistakes. Enjoy each day if at all possible. Remember nothing is ever the same as it is at this moment so enjoy it or endure it whichever is applicable. Take a little time each day for yourself. God is out there watching so be careful - He is the one who will get you into heaven. If you do something I wouldn't want to know just make sure I don't find out. Spend your money wisely, but spend it. You have to make your friends because they don't come automatically."
Wanda was an amazing cook and baker. Somehow she could transform a pile of self-rising flour on a newspaper into fluffy biscuits in minutes with just a few drops of oil and some magic she did with her hands. Many have tried, but nobody has ever been able to replicate them in quite the same way. When served with a mess of fried quail and gravy and with a new jar of chow chow, she created a feast. She could also work the same magic into fresh noodles and pie crusts, telling anyone who would ask that it was "easy", but when they attempted it themselves, they quickly found that it was not.
She was a lifetime learner. In addition to helping Verl on the farm and raising four children, Wanda was always curious and one of the sharpest, most intelligent people you would ever meet. She was an avid reader of all kinds of books. She conquered computers and iPads and disproved the notion that older people can't keep up with technology. She sold things on eBay when most people were just trying to figure out how to get onto the internet. She was a poet, writer, and documentarian, and we will treasure her writing. It will add to the joy of remembering her and the other family members she wrote about for many years to come.
Wanda was not only a loving mother and devoted spouse but also a friend to everybody. Her door was always open, and anyone, whether friend or family, could visit unannounced, and she would make it a party, even if all she had was one doughnut and a fresh pot of coffee. She helped countless people in ways that we will never fully know, but those who she touched will undoubtedly remember her kindness and generosity.
Wanda held her faith close to her heart, attending church throughout her life, beginning at the Christian Church, and then later at the Church of Christ after marrying Verl. Her relationship with her faith was not just a Sunday obligation; it was a guiding light that illuminated her thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. She believed in the power of compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Just as she found strength in her faith, she drew strength from her Democratic party ideals, believing that they too were rooted in the principles of empathy, justice, and community welfare. Her dedication to her political convictions was evident when she served as a delegate at the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York City, a testament to her commitment.
In addition to her children, Wanda's legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roy Don and his wife Lisa have a daughter Heather, and two sons, Jacob and Caleb. Jennifer Ronan's daughter, Ashley, is married to Johan Löfgren, and they have a son Noah and a daughter Veda. Jennifer also has a son, Alex, who has a daughter named River. Tom Hanan and his wife Angie, have a daughter Audrey.
Wanda was pre-deceased by her husband Verl Hanan, her Papa O.A. Black, her mother Myrtle Mary Berry Black, her sisters Darlene Miller, Gloria Fern Favors, Orralee Shean, and Donna Rowley, and her brother Pete Black. She is survived and well-loved by all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,, and by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends in Arnett, Ellis County, and beyond. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Wanda left us with this beautiful sentiment: "When you find yourself running through the wind, watching a butterfly, playing in the sand, looking at the sunset with awe, planning another trip, doing nothing, or talking to an old lady, think of me - Wanda Faye Black Hanan."
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